Don't ...

[rambler]

I am very grateful that I read this tip (probably on this forum) before my first trip to the FSU.


Just do not pick up anything in the street that someone seems to have accidentally dropped. As in "Hey buddy you dropped your wallet/ a 500 bill, the phone" etc., etc.


It is the beginning of a street scam. Whatever the object is you would get accused of stealing it or part of it.


There will be two people running it. The guy who drops it in front of you and the noble helper who witnesses you steal it who happens to be an off duty cop, who won't arrest if you give back the two 500 bills the sim card, the phone charger, two "diamond" rings instead of the one that you are trying to return to the loser.


This happened to me about 4 times. Twice in the street in Kiev (wallet "where's the money?"), once in Kharkiv (phone charge "where's the phone") and once in Moscow airport (cash "wheres the other 500 bill")  Luckily I had read the tip before and did not pick anything up. First time it happened I " accidently" kicked the see through plastic wallet as far into the street as I could. (with obviously photocopied dollar bills)


Then there's passport controller at Kharkhiv airport as you leave Kharkhiv. " Were you staying with women, at an appartment? Did you register with police? No ? Oh well I can help you, you can help me .... "  I just took my passport out of his hand and marched out of his little cubicle. 


So, those of you who have been there, what other little tricks do the first timers have to avoid?


R

[mendeleyev]

Rambler, of all the years I've been in Russia and Ukraine, not once have I seen those scams.

I'm not disputing your stories but here is my tip: if you'll watch Russians you can learn a lot about street life in a big city. They move forward, seemingly indifferent and rarely stop for such things. From conditioning learned during the Soviet period they've learned to pretend not to notice many things. If you are a Western tourist, adopt the same demeanor and you'll do fine.

If someone accused them of stealing something, Babushka will beat the snot out of them with her cane while delivering a tongue lashing fit to make sailors blush.

There was a time in large Russian cities like Moscow when Gypsies were a problem but years ago they moved on to places like Barcelona and Rome where Western travelers arrive to begin cruises, etc. EU cops are limited in how they can deal with petty street theft unlike Russia where the police in those days were much more unforgiving.

Fewer and fewer police are routinely corrupt as now the issuance of fines for motor violations, for example, are required to be video taped. During the Medvedev presidency there was a very concentrated effort to rid the police of corrupt officers and while not perfect, things are much different now. Offer a bribe today and there is a 50-50 chance you'd be detained for offering the bribe.

[Shadow]

Little Vanya is walking on the street with Babushka and sees a candy.
As he wants to pick it up, babushka tell him never to pick up anything, as what is lying on the street is old and dirty and should be left.

A little later babushka slips and fall down. "Vanyushka, help me up".

"Sorry babushka, everything on the street is old and dirty and should be left"

[Patagonie]

Little Vanya is walking on the street with Babushka and sees a candy.
As he wants to pick it up, babushka tell him never to pick up anything, as what is lying on the street is old and dirty and should be left.

A little later babushka slips and fall down. "Vanyushka, help me up".

"Sorry babushka, everything on the street is old and dirty and should be left"

[GQBlues]

...This happened to me about 4 times. Twice in the street in Kiev (wallet "where's the money?"), once in Kharkiv (phone charge "where's the phone") and once in Moscow airport (cash "wheres the other 500 bill")  Luckily I had read the tip before and did not pick anything up. First time it happened I " accidently" kicked the see through plastic wallet as far into the street as I could. (with obviously photocopied dollar bills)...

4 times, WOW! It appears as though those dropped soap bar sessions of the past really taught you well, I see...

[calmissile]

Rambler, of all the years I've been in Russia and Ukraine, not once have I seen those scams.

I'm not disputing your stories but here is my tip: if you'll watch Russians you can learn a lot about street life in a big city. They move forward, seemingly indifferent and rarely stop for such things. From conditioning learned during the Soviet period they've learned to pretend not to notice many things. If you are a Western tourist, adopt the same demeanor and you'll do fine.

If someone accused them of stealing something, Babushka will beat the snot out of them with her cane while delivering a tongue lashing fit to make sailors blush.

There was a time in large Russian cities like Moscow when Gypsies were a problem but years ago they moved on to places like Barcelona and Rome where Western travelers arrive to begin cruises, etc. EU cops are limited in how they can deal with petty street theft unlike Russia where the police in those days were much more unforgiving.

Fewer and fewer police are routinely corrupt as now the issuance of fines for motor violations, for example, are required to be video taped. During the Medvedev presidency there was a very concentrated effort to rid the police of corrupt officers and while not perfect, things are much different now. Offer a bribe today and there is a 50-50 chance you'd be detained for offering the bribe.

Mendy, 
I have not seen this scam in Ukriane but then I try to not put myself in an atmosphere when I am likely to encounter it either.   Walking with your wife or girlfreind is one of the best ways to avoid any scams.  It is still a good tip in case someonen is alone.

[OlgaH]

There is a lot of Russian articles about such type of old street scam (since 1990s) with recommendations how to avoid it. That's right, do not pick up anything. If you see a phone or wallet it is better not to touch it, if you see or a person in front of you dropping something on the ground just express yourself verbally to let the person know about his lost things. Do not touch it...

http://mirsovetov.ru/a/psychology/psychologic-trick/street-fraud.html

http://www.deception.J/way/

http://www.allkriminal.ru/theme/714

http://trick-fraudsters.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-post.html

[lonedrake]

Don't drink the tap water!

[Faux Pas]

Don't drink the tap water!

Really, you drank it? I haven't had the brass nads to drink any foreign tap water. Although, I never hesitate brushing my teeth or bathing in it. Come to think of it I'm pretty much the same way with the local tap water, too.

[lonedrake]

Really, you drank it?

 Yup. Didn't even taste bad. I am not convinced my rash came from drinking the tap water....but no need to take unnecessary chances.

[BillyB]

So, those of you who have been there, what other little tricks do the first timers have to avoid?

I didn't get the tip before going to the FSU so I was a nice guy and returned an item dropped to the person who dropped it. A so off duty cop flashed his badge(probably fake) and the game began. I was accused of stealing money and I wasn't going to replace it. The off duty cop said he's going to have to take me to the police station so I called his bluff and said "Let's go". He continued to try to convince me to replace the money instead so I looked around to see if there was any real cops nearby but there were none so I gave them the impression things were going to get physical and the fake cop gave the other guy the look that this needs to end so that guy acted like everything was ok and not a problem and they both walked away.



Here's a few other tips for newbies. Do not walk in underground tunnels at night. REAL cops who hang out there can rob you. Since they carry real guns, the getting ready to kick their azz trick won't work. Be careful in metro(subway) stations. Thieves sometimes hang out there. My ex fiancee had the strap to her mobile phone hanging out her pocket. Right as the doors close, a thief grabs the phone and takes off.

[GQBlues]

Yup. Didn't even taste bad. I am not convinced my rash came from drinking the tap water....but no need to take unnecessary chances.

Man! That wasn't a rash, that[size=78%]'[/size][/size]s breaking out in hives! You must've eaten something. I hope you brought along calamine lotion somehow. How'd you get rid of it?[size=78%]

[lonedrake]

How'd you get rid of it?

 Had to see a doctor in Lugansk. Gave me a shot and a prescription for some lotion. The rash also went up on my face.Sucked!

[Muzh]

I didn't get the tip before going to the FSU so I was a nice guy and returned an item dropped to the person who dropped it. A so off duty cop flashed his badge(probably fake) and the game began. I was accused of stealing money and I wasn't going to replace it. The off duty cop said he's going to have to take me to the police station so I called his bluff and said "Let's go". He continued to try to convince me to replace the money instead so I looked around to see if there was any real cops nearby but there were none so I gave them the impression things were going to get physical and the fake cop gave the other guy the look that this needs to end so that guy acted like everything was ok and not a problem and they both walked away.

They probably recognized you from your avatar; holding that massive sword in a very macho standing position that they decided not to fcuk with you if they wanted to live.

[GQBlues]

They probably recognized you from your avatar; holding that massive sword in a very macho standing position that they decided not to fcuk with you if they wanted to live.

LMAO!

Actually the same thing happened to me that happened to BillyB. I also didn't *get the tip* prior to my departure.

But as the moment unfolded much like that of BillyB's experience - right at the moment when things were about to get physical, I immediately got into my mortal combat stance, shook my head side to side and ala- Bruce Lee, flicked my thumb lightly against my nose with eyes intently focused against those fake cops. Then quicker than eye can blink, I tumbled on a rapid rotation moves that included a 3.5 somersault with a 1.5 twist and concluded that dazzling foray into with a dizzying 12 turn piroutte and stopped on one leg with my other leg poised at one of the perpetrator's temple micro inches away from shattering the side of his face from turning it into mashed up tomatoes. All before anyone can say "Boje Moy!"

Life can be tough for men like us. So talented, so quick and so darn sexy!


Which is why women love us....

[Muzh]

 

[Faux Pas]

LMAO!

Actually the same thing happened to me that happened to BillyB. I also didn't *get the tip* prior to my departure.

But as the moment unfolded much like that of BillyB's experience - right at the moment when things were about to get physical, I immediately got into my mortal combat stance, shook my head side to side and ala- Bruce Lee, flicked my thumb lightly against my nose with eyes intently focused against those fake cops. Then quicker than eye can blink, I tumbled on a rapid rotation moves that included a 3.5 somersault with a 1.5 twist and concluded that dazzling foray into with a dizzying 12 turn piroutte and stopped on one leg with my other leg poised at one of the perpetrator's temple micro inches away from shattering the side of his face from turning it into mashed up tomatoes. All before anyone can say "Boje Moy!"

Life can be tough for men like us. So talented, so quick and so darn sexy!


Which is why women love us....

I'll bet that is what Billyb did, too.