Wallet scam in Kiev

[Jack]

Wallet Scam Attempts Near U.S. Embassy's Consular Section - US
Embassy KYIV Warden Message - February 4, 2005

Embassy security personnel have noticed an increase in
reported incidents of a "wallet scam" on the streets
of Kyiv.  Although the scam can occur anywhere, recent
reported incidents have occurred near the Consular
Section at 6 Pymonenka Street in Kyiv.  Please note the
information below so that you can avoid becoming a
crime victim.

The wallet scam occurs when a person drops a wallet at
your feet and asks you if it is yours.  The scam
artist, almost always a male, will then show you a large
sum of money from the wallet and try to get you to touch
the wallet and money.  Another person (also usually a
male) will approach and claim that the wallet is his,
and then accuse you of trying to steal his money.  The
two con-artist partners will then take one of two
approaches.  They may threaten to call the police in an
effort to get you to pay them not to get the police
involved.  Or, they may ask you to show them your wallet
to ensure that you did not take their money, whereupon
they will grab your money and flee.  To maintain your
safety (and keep your money), do not engage these
people in conversation and immediately walk away from
them.

The Embassy is working with the local police to
investigate the criminals involved in this scam.  If you
become a victim of this or any other crime, or observe
any suspicious individuals, please immediately contact
the American Citizens Services Unit at
acskiev@state.gov <mailto:acskiev@state.gov> or by
telephone at (38-044) 490-4000.  The Embassy's duty
officer may be reached after hours via this same number, or
by contacting (38-050) 311-1796. 

[Turboguy]

I am glad you mentioned that becuase it is very common there and if you don't know about it you can fall for it pretty easy.   I had them try it on me when I was in Kiev in December.   Fortuantely I had been told about the scam and it only took me a second to know what was happening or I could be here telling a horror story. 

If you see this happening just get away from them and don't touch anything.  They can be very smooth with this.

 

[Oatmeal]

What, are you kidding me.

I can't believe they are still pulling that old scam.  That has been going on for years.  Frankly, I'm surprised that it is still going on.

[wsbill]

Oatmeal,

This is a really popular scam performed in Wal-Mart parking lots.

I remember when I was in Kiev and posted it on the other message board. 

Apparently, it was a pretty popular scam, cause there was a wad on money in that wallet the guy stuck in front of me.   I swear, I should have just grabbed that wallet and took off...

But, the whole point is to avoid trouble when going abroad and being a good sumaritan/tourist.  I mean, it's ok to be a good guy.... but here we are in a foreign land going after their women.. LOL.

Pretty soon the pond will be all fished out. 

Are you still planning on moving there ?  I'd think you could invest your money elsewhere like in the Tstsumi zone and get a better return.  Or invest in a Eastern European Mutual Fund (based in the US of A).

[Son of Clyde]

Thanks Jack.

I will be in Kiev in 12 days.

We need to formulate a plan to scam the scammers that is perfecly legal and the US Embassy would back us up. Maybe if we take off with the wallet and deliver it to the Embassy.

[anono]

i may as well use this thread to also warn of cell phone theives. they are everywhere.

i was pickpocketed on the metro in kiev. the guy took the phone right out of the holster on my belt. i had my hand on my cash in my front pocket. we were crushed in next to each other and i never felt him open and take the phone right out of the hostler, under my sport jacket. he was GOOD.

a month later my ex-girlfriend had her phone stolen on the metro but i do not know the circumstances.

i know of at least a dozen other women who have had their phones stolen, sometimes right out of their hands as they speak. the thieves also grab them when they are hanging on a cord around the ladies neck.

the best thing to do is hide it and don't let them see you have a cell phone and if you just used it and cannot do that, put it in a zippered or front pocket and keep a hand on it.

jack remembers this because it was the only time i was ever late

[An_adult-male]

Not just Kiev is doing the wallet scam. While in Moscow I got into it with three guys. But I knew later the problem started when two guys walked threw the Resurrection Gate in Moscow before me and he quickly called on his portable phone and ask at once "Kak Dela?" which means = What's up? No body starts a phone call with that on less he's working something fast. He saw me walking from Gorky Park toward Gate and knew I was headed to the street with all the shoe Stores and shops. Now to know that this is at the end of Red Square with heavy secrity. When the man in fine clothes dropped a roll of American money the size of toilet paper. A young man was ready to pick it up in front of me. This time a third man got into the act, to point to me saying "he's the one" in English. Being 6 ft plus and over 220lbs I let lose with all of them around me. Just the younger man followed me into the Metro (Subway) of Moscow. This was scary and their actions were close to perfect. I did not stop until I got to the Hard Rock Cafe. I sure would love to burn these guys or see them work in Siberia for spell.

  But in Kiev I was laughing at the fools and just walked away, near the Rus Hotel. I've had even an old man try this on me near the opera house and I just acted like I didn't hear a thing. An old woman can up to him and told him he droped something. This old man took off like a rabbit. To note that Tim Wilson who runs the socials for AFA had it happen 3 times to him in one week end. Never take any chances and walk away! This can get you killed or even worse, beat the hell out of.

 

[William3rd]

last week in Kiev near the stadium. . . ..

big roll of 100 dollars and 50 Euros. In a baggy to keep it dry in the wet. Uki guy asks me for directions and then says, "look!" Picks up bag and says he will share it with me. I was already heading for a police officer I saw standing down the street from us.

[viking]

I was at a parade on Nevsky Prospect in SPB. Extremely crowded. As the parade ended and everyone was trying to leave, I felt a hand in my left frot pants pocket where I had my cell and another hand in my right pocket where I had my passport. I grabbed the arm of the person on my right (a girl BTW) and she flew off in the crowd, but I lost my phone in the process. The whole thing took maybe 5 seconds.

[Rvrwind]

They are pretty bold, no doubt.
I had a guy about 20 years old try to snatch my cell phone last week while I was waiting for my bus home. Don't think he'll be trying it again anytime soon. Don't think I broke his arm but he was in a he!! of alot of pain last I seen him, sittin' in the mud & almost crying. Folks at the bus stop just started clapping & pattin' me on the back as we boarded the bus. I don't hold out much respect for thieves & nothin' they remember more than some good old fashioned humiliation mixed with a lot of pain.

[TwoBitBandit]

I had a guy about 20 years old try to snatch my cell phone last week while I was waiting for my bus home. Don't think he'll be trying it again anytime soon. Don't think I broke his arm but he was in a he!! of alot of pain last I seen him, sittin' in the mud & almost crying. Folks at the bus stop just started clapping & pattin' me on the back as we boarded the bus. I don't hold out much respect for thieves & nothin' they remember more than some good old fashioned humiliation mixed with a lot of pain.

Richard, you're out of control.    I started laughing out loud as I read this... I can totally picture it really happening.

[Stirlitz]

You must be really stupid to fall for this scam.

[Phil dAmore]

Richard, you're out of control.    I started laughing out loud as I read this... I can totally picture it really happening.

If Richard says it happened, then it did. 

The man does not bullsh!t.

[LatinSwede]

In Odessa, I was walking to a store and an older guy in a building overhang tried to get my attention.  He said "come here for a moment".  I don't know if it was a wallet scam, but it looked shady.  I just kept walking.  My general rule is if it's a total stranger, or I'm not sure I ignore them and keep going on my way.  The worst that happens to me, is somebody following me, begging for money.

[Jack]

Recent update.

Over the Christmas/New Years 2006/07 holiday two of the men with our group were introduced to the lost wallet on sidewalk scam. Only with one of these incidence's their was a new twist.

One of the many things I tell guys going on tour is about the last wallet laying on the sidewalk scam. So most the guys are aware it could happen and what they should do.

Sure enough one guy was walking down Khershaytk and there was a wallet on the ground and a guy looking at it. The guy asked "Is this yours?"  Well the client stopped, reached for his cell phone and said "No, it's not mine but we should call the police and tell them" and the client pretended he was calling police.  The guy just picked up the wallet and went on his way.

Now the second event was a little different and a little more scary.  About three days after the first event another of the guys was walking down the street, see's a wallet laying on the ground and a guy walks up to the wallet just a few seconds before he does.  Again "Is this your wallet".  The client said no (but knew what was going on). Within a few seconds a third guy walks up.  The client says "hey, if you guys don't leave me alone I'm going to holler for the police".  Well the third guy who walked up reached into his billfold and quickly flashed a badge and said he was policeman.  Of course he was not but was trying to throw this guy off. The client just walked away and that was the end of it but what was new to this story that I had not heard before was the second guy part of the scam flashed a phony badge as if he was a policeman.

In short guys if you see a wallet on the sidewalk or street, just keep walking.

[Turboguy]

The same thing applies to a wad of money, sometimes wrapped in a rubber band.