There I was, standing in the center of the Galleria Umberto in Naples, one of Italy’s most famous shopping galleries, when I spotted them.
Two men slowly making their way toward us.
I immediately knew what was about to happen.
Having witnessed similar scams in Florence and Pisa before, I decided to let this play out – not because I wanted to be scammed, but because I wanted to document exactly how these schemes work to protect my readers.
How It Starts
It always starts the same. The scammers approached us with a warm smile and friendly demeanors, striking up a casual conversation:
“Is this your first time in Naples?”
“Are you enjoying your stay?”
blablabla
This small talk makes you let your guard down and feel like you’re connecting with locals.
It’s a common tactic because it plays into what many travelers seek: authentic connections with locals.
The Gift Trap
Just as I’d encountered in Florence and Pisa, where they used friendship bracelets and small figurines, these Naples scammers had their own variation.
They pulled out prints of famous attractions in Naples, presenting them as a “gift” to celebrate our enjoyment of being a day in Naples.
Here’s where the trap happens: the moment you accept their “gifts” and hold them in your hands, the tone changes.
Suddenly, your “friends” begin sharing stories about their hardships (no work, families to feed) and request money in exchange for what was moments ago presented as a free gift.
The Psychology Behind This Tourist Trap
This scam is effective because it exploits several human tendencies:
- The desire to be friendly and polite, especially in foreign countries
- Social pressure to reciprocate when given a gift
- The awkwardness of turning down someone who appears to be in need
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Ways To Avoid These Travel Scams
Having witnessed these scams across multiple Italian cities, I can offer these tried tips to avoid becoming a victim:
- If someone approaches trying to hand you anything, firmly decline.
- If necessary, keep your hands in your pockets or crossed.
- Once something is in your hands, you’ve already entered their trap. If so, give it back or put it on the floor and walk away.
Final Thoughts About Traveling To Italy
While it might seem easy to become cynical about experiences like these, it shouldn’t stop you from exploring beautiful cities like Naples, Florence, or Pisa.
By sharing our experience in the Galleria Umberto, we hope to help you recognize and avoid these situations.
The beauty of traveling to Italy far outweighs these little annoyances. Stay alert, trust your gut, and don’t be afraid to say “No”!
Have you encountered scams in your travels? Share your experiences in the comments below to help other travelers from being scammed.
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