Why Are There So Many “Pickpockets” in Italy?

Italy… Leaning Tower of Pisa, pasta, mozzarella and pizza. When we think about it, these four words come to our mind first, right? However, in recent history, something else may come to our mind: pickpockets. According to the statements of tourists and local people who go to Italy, they have been facing this problem for a long time. This group, which especially targets tourists, has annoyed the local people a lot.

This situation, which should normally bother tourists, is touristic image It became a trending topic on social media and in Italy due to its bad influence. Of course, there are such groups in every country, but Italy’s is quite high. But why do you say?

According to Quotezone’s European Pickpocketing Index, the country with the highest number of pickpockets is Italy.

Visitors to the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon in Rome, Duomo di Milano in Milan and Gallerie degli Uffizi in Florence in 2022 1906 tourists He explained that he was exposed to pickpocketing.

Due to this incident, a certain segment of the public tourist-heavy areas getting louder “Watch out for pickpockets!” is calling. Below you can find the video of this woman, who went viral on TikTok on this subject:

As in every country, there are two segments in Italy: the lower segment and the elite segment. The group we usually hear about Italian mafias comes from the lower classes.

Since money and power are directly proportional, the opposite would normally be expected, but in Italy the situation is a bit complicated. Especially on the Sicilian side The mafia group we often hear about does not engage in pickpocketing, as you might expect.

Since tourists generally go to Venice, Rome or Milan, many pickpocket groups are located in these cities. Generally, more people go to cities such as Naples and Sicily. local tourist while going; Tourist areas like Milan foreign tourists haunt

“According to local people”, the people who usually carry out such events are some gypsies (also known as gypsies).

Roma are generally famous for not working much in Italy and unfortunately for getting involved in such incidents. their livelihood valuable belongings of tourists These people who provide education also raise their children like themselves.

Sometimes they even use small children as a tool for this incident, and we are sure that many of us have experienced such incidents while sitting in a cafe or walking on the street. Here is the incident organized state can be considered as.

Italy’s public transportation usage rate is quite high. So what does this topic have to do with it?

Tourists and local people generally prefer to use public transportation. More often they prefer. Because it is both cheap and fast Very crowded vehicles are an unmissable opportunity for pickpockets. Naturally, the rate of successfully committing theft without being noticed among so many people is naturally high.

Of course, it’s not just about public transportation; Using more advanced pickpocket methods, these people make plans that people would never dream of. organized as a group they become. For example, a tourist shared his own experience on this subject:

“Someone blocking the entrance of the train or stand at the top of the escalator and prevent you from moving, be careful. I realized what was happening when it happened to me and I felt slight pressure on the side of my body. one of the girls distract me While he was preventing me from moving, the other one came across me and stole my wallet. I followed them and took my wallet from one of the girls’ armpit!”

Many tourists are not aware of their surroundings; This is a great opportunity for pickpockets.

Do not think that as soon as they see a tourist, they immediately try to steal his belongings, as we said before, this is part of a well-organized plan. For example in Milan You went to a very elegant restaurant, then went to a store to shop. The pickpockets who had their eye on you beforehand, in fact, are looking for you. To understand your status He observes closely.

Of course, the probability of this event occurring is according to your clothing is also changing. Tourists trying to avoid this situation; Especially if they dress casually, They try not to look like strangers transferred. In other words, even the smallest piece of jewelry you wear can make you the center of their attention.

These people, who appear to be very normal-looking people from the outside, naturally do not arouse suspicion in anyone. This is for the police How do they not notice themselves? in evidence. In fact, sometimes they approach tourists so well that most people do not realize that they are pickpockets.

Let’s examine together how they steal in the video below:

In the 53rd second of the video, you can see how the pickpockets stood in front of the door. a fake crowd We can see what they created. This way, people will have to bump into them while passing by and they can steal wallets or phones without noticing. Also, in the same way, he is on the lap of the woman who appears in the video. a fake baby It is quite obvious that he carries it.

While the other two people are preventing people from passing, the other person is the one doing the pocketing. This situation is not only valid in public transportation vehicles, but also even while sitting on a bench You may be exposed to such an event.

Even through tour A Turk who went to Italy He announced that he experienced a similar incident by sharing a video on his Instagram account:

So what we mean is; When going to Italy, it is better not to be too stylish and flashy. Because at the end of the day, do not leave your bag or valuables. without even realizing it You can have it stolen. So, have you been exposed to this kind of incident before? We will be waiting for you in the comments!