- Time of past OR future Camino
- Too many and too often!
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Good point, Tinca. We're so secure in our comfortable and relatively well-off bubbles. Who knows what these girls are up against?Maybe the gang-masters are setting unachievable targets this year. Desperate people do desperate things.
One of my ploys to deter unwanted 'encounters' is to carry a good ol' walking pole...they know they have to get past that before they get to you. It's quite an effective barrier.Thanks for sharing the article.
I'm so glad I never encountered anyone scamming on the Camino, but I would feel pretty vulnerable if I suddenly saw a group of people approaching and I was alone otherwise. It's really too bad.
Well, I was walking alone, it was raining, outside of Portomarin, when I "encountered " the deaf girl with clipboard- I knew no better and gave €5. This was late Sept 2018. To be honest, I wasn't particularly inclined to donate anything, but she was part of a large group who were blocking the path forward, and I wanted to get away. I did feel cornered but didn't realize it was a scam at first. I became more resistant after that.Thanks for sharing the article.
I'm so glad I never encountered anyone scamming on the Camino, but I would feel pretty vulnerable if I suddenly saw a group of people approaching and I was alone otherwise. It's really too bad.
The scammers take advantage of the fact that people are basically good & want to help others. The problem is when we hear about or fall prey to their scams, we become reluctant to assist when we are next approached, which may be by genuine cases or organisations...& they then don't receive much needed donations. Sadly, it's a lose-lose situation (except for the scammers!) & we can only make our best judgement call at the time.Well, I was walking alone, it was raining, outside of Portomarin, when I "encountered " the deaf girl with clipboard- I knew no better and gave €5. This was late Sept 2018. To be honest, I wasn't particularly inclined to donate anything, but she was part of a large group who were blocking the path forward, and I wanted to get away. I did feel cornered but didn't realize it was a scam at first. I became more resistant after that.
I tried my new whistle yesterday and nearly blew out my eardrums. Lol. I blew way to hard and made a note to selfSome of us carry whistles when walking...I suggest we blow them. If the donation-seeker flinches or reacts in any way, they are clearly not deaf. At the very least, they might take a step back allowing an easier escape. If the person is genuinely deaf, it will not impact them at all & I'll happily hand over a few €uros....& pick them up off the ground if they are not wanted!
Kaz, I recommend not investing the time or effort. This will only agitate them further, and could precipitate overly aggressive or violent behavior.
I advise simply tossing a polite greeting, saying “no gracias,” and KEEP WALKING.
FYI - it is what I have been doing forever... Be polite, but be as assertive as they are, but in reverse.
The key to remaining safe is to keep moving and keep increasing the distance between you and them. Space is safety...
Hope this helps
Please spread the news to anyone you think should hear it.Thanks for posting. I'd like to post this in my group if it's ok.
Thanks for posting. I'd like to post this in my group if it's ok.
I encountered the supposedly “deaf girls” scam in the woods near there last year in September - the ones I encountered were (reference to particular ethnic group deleted) suddenly she could hear and shook her head. I was very upset that a group of Koreans were giving them 20E notes, but I knew better than to interfere and have them come looking for me down the path. It’s sad but I agree, keep a few euros in a pocket hand them over and move on quickly.Aggressive scammers near Barbadelo
La Voz de Galicia has reported that an old scam has resurfaced on the Camino Frances: a group of people asking for donations for a non-existent disability charity. In this case becoming physically threatening and attempting to steal a wallet after a pilgrim refused to give them anything.
Vuelven al Camino los timos al peregrino
Estafadores que piden dinero en la Ruta Xacobea volvieron a actuar cerca de Barbadelo zarandeando a un turista escocéswww.lavozdegalicia.es
Yeis, I encountered this "lovely" couple last week on a remote section of the Camino Frances. They approach with a piece of paper that shows other pilgrims donating 20 euros. They say " For the disabled! For the disabled! " I declined and the male stepped in front of me and repeated the mantra in my face. I stepped around him and he was already talking to a new target.Aggressive scammers near Barbadelo
La Voz de Galicia has reported that an old scam has resurfaced on the Camino Frances: a group of people asking for donations for a non-existent disability charity. In this case becoming physically threatening and attempting to steal a wallet after a pilgrim refused to give them anything.
Vuelven al Camino los timos al peregrino
Estafadores que piden dinero en la Ruta Xacobea volvieron a actuar cerca de Barbadelo zarandeando a un turista escocéswww.lavozdegalicia.es
That's really too bad. In Burgos I was having lunch at a restaurant, a sort of commercialized chain establishment. At the table next to where we were three Korean pilgrims sat down for lunch as well. As we were eating I watched through the large plate glass windows an obvious local man ride up on his bicycle, park and step inside. He looked around, spied the Koreans and approached them and made contact. They began a conversation in broken English and at one point he asked to look at their cell phones. I could not take it any longer watching that as I knew some type of theft was going to occur so leaned over and told the Koreans that man is not your friend and only wants to steal from you and you should stop talking to him. They seemed shocked and surprised, the local man gave me the whole if looks could kill routine, stomped off and exited the place and rode off on the bicycle. The Korean pilgrims thanked me and would every time I saw them on the Camino after that.I encountered the supposedly “deaf girls” scam in the woods near there last year in September - the ones I encountered were (ethnic descripion deleted) suddenly she could hear and shook her head. I was very upset that a group of Koreans were giving them 20E notes, but I knew better than to interfere and have them come looking for me down the path. It’s sad but I agree, keep a few euros in a pocket hand them over and move on quickly.
Good luck with that. Seriously. Just make sure you keep one hand on your wallet/bag/purse/whatever of valuables while you are making your response, and do not keep your back to any of them.I’ve been mulling this topic for days on and off. I don't have any answers but my thoughts are:
- I often read posts that infer or describe a changed Camino Frances, a kind of Golden Age view, that I take to be something like ‘ more Christian, less touristy’ So I wonder what kind of response to ‘scammers’ these traditional values would lead to?
- Another thought is - why are we shocked that people target a population known ( or thought) to be generous (?) compassionate (?) or easily deceived? I am not justifying aggression or deceit - but its not much different to big business really - just a whole lot less subtle.
- When I was in Marrakesh some years ago, there were aggressive, pushy, and at times intimidating locals trying to sell me something. But their approach was seen from my English cultural norms - and not an objective description that eould hold true for everyone.
On my Camino this year I set out to act with more generosity and curiosity - I deliberately chose to go outside my comfort zone. In a cafe, I was served by a waitress who literally threw my cutlery at the table, and noisily slammed down my plate of food. I was intensely irritated by this. I Finished my meal, and set up a message on my ‘translate app that said ‘thank you for looking after us so well’ and gave her a 5 euro tip. She threw her arms up in the air, her face lit up like a christmas tree, and sge ran joyfully to the kitchen to share what just happened. This gave me great joy - and I saw her then as a probably underpaid, undervalued, young person.
I guess as Ive written this Ive realised I am trying to say something here about each of us being part of the problem, or part of change for others we encounter. My thoughts will continue to mull on how I could respond to a ‘scammer’ in such a way that it’s more in keeping with the spirit of the Camino.
Thanks for reading if you stuck with it thus far.
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