Scammers practicing in Italy developed an original, artistic way to make money off tourists. The method was revealed by travel blogger Casey Rose. According to her information, this is how criminals trade in Italian “cities of art”, primarily in Florence.
According to her, fraudsters are trying to force tourists to pay for “damaged” paintings on the street in major tourist spots. If a tourist steps on them – and it is almost impossible to step on them – they will try to extort compensation of 300 euros from him.
“See those pictures on the ground? This is fraud. These people put the picture on the ground in tourist-filled streets and corners where people are constantly crowding. And when someone steps on the “masterpieces” – and this is almost inevitable because tourists look at the beautiful houses around and do not look under their feet – they start demanding money for the damaged painting,” said the tourist.
Her advice to tourists who get caught is simple: first, don’t pay because it’s an elaborate divorce and scam, and just walk away without reacting. If the “artists” try to prevent this, seek help from the police.