Tourists urged to avoid ‘friendly strangers’ asking for help on holiday for 1 reason

Whether you’re jetting off to Spain, Paris, Portugal or Greece this summer, you’re likely looking forward to a bit of time away just to relax and enjoy your holiday. However, even if you're away from home, it’s important to stay vigilant to avoid becoming the victim of a scam or crime.

In fact, the thing that lets you down might not even be a lack of caution - it could be your own good manners. Paul Evans of I-Spy Detectives said scammers will often use distraction techniques to get the better of holidaymakers.He said: “These usually start with a friendly stranger asking for help. They might be holding a map, pretending they are lost, or simply asking for directions. It seems innocent enough, but what people do not realise is that while they are talking, someone else is going through their bag.”

According to Paul, this type of scam works well because it relies on our basic human nature to be kind.

"Most people do not want to come across as rude, especially when they are in a foreign country. Tourists often feel they should be polite and helpful, even if something feels a little off. That instinct to be friendly is what these scammers count on.

“All it takes is for someone to stop you in a busy square or street, engage you in conversation, and keep your eyes off your belongings for just a few seconds. That is all the time a thief needs.”

Many people often don’t even realise they have been robbed until much later, Paul said.

“We have seen cases where people have lost phones, wallets, passports, and even expensive jewellery. They do not feel the theft happen. They only notice later when they reach for their phone or go to pay for something, and it is no longer there.”

In order to protect yourself against this, Paul recommends taking a firmer stance against strangers than you might at home.

He said: “If someone you do not know approaches you out of the blue and asks for help, especially in a busy area, the best thing you can do is say ‘no thank you’ and walk away. Keep your bag in front of you and zipped at all times. If they persist, do not feel bad about being direct or even walking away mid-sentence. You are not being rude. You are being smart.”

"You don't need to be aggressive or paranoid, but if someone feels too pushy or gets too close, don't engage with them. The worst-case scenario is that you accidentally ignore someone who genuinely needed help. The best case is that you avoid getting robbed.”