Pickpocket & DistractionRome, Italy

Mustard trick at Termini: one "helps" clean you, another empties your bag

Scam date: 2025-05-30 Reported: 2026-08-02

At Termini, a man "accidentally" smeared mustard on my jacket, then a very helpful stranger offered tissues and started dabbing. When he left, my wallet was gone from my front pocket. If someone spills something on you, refuse all help.

More reports in Italy

Transport

Fiumicino taxi: fixed fare €48, the meter "read" €95

📍 Rome, Italy

🗓️ Scam date: 27 September 2025

📝 Reported: 8 September 2026

The sign at the official taxi stand clearly said fixed fare €48 to the center. Our driver insisted his meter said €95 because of "night time and luggage". We paid €60 after arguing. Take a photo of the fixed-fare board before you get in.

Tickets & Attractions

"Skip the line" Colosseum reseller sold fake QR codes

📍 Rome, Italy

🗓️ Scam date: 19 November 2025

📝 Reported: 2 July 2026

A reseller outside the Colosseum metro sold us two "skip the line" tickets with QR codes for €80. The QR codes were screenshots of someone else's tickets and the scanner rejected them. Buy only from the official CoopCulture site.

Accommodation

Apartment deposit vanished with the "landlord"

📍 Rome, Italy

🗓️ Scam date: 19 October 2024

📝 Reported: 6 June 2026

We found an apartment through a Facebook group, met the "landlord", paid two months' deposit in cash. On move-in day the phone was dead and the real owner knew nothing about a rental. Never pay deposits in cash without a proper contract.