It was on a sunny day in Naples in Italy. I was robbed by trick thieves and I didn’t notice anything, nothing! My wallet, which I carried in my zippered shoulder bag on me, was suddenly gone! I, the cautious, the “experienced” and prudent frequent traveler, was robbed unnoticed by master thieves. My cash, bank and credit cards were gone! The blocking of the cards came too late. The thieves had purchased goods within minutes after they have stolen my cards and without being in possession of the PIN codes! After noticing the theft, I immediately reported it to the Neapolitan police. There, they shrugged and asked me in which language I would like to file the criminal complaint. Stunt thieves of this kind, especially from organized and technically well-endowed gangs, often with the help of children, happen, according to the Police, daily and in large numbers. It seemed to me that the police had surrendered.
Quite apart from the emotional stress, the financial damage was partially covered by the insurance. As a result of this incident, I am even more cautious and have devised an “action plan” for future visits to high-risk cities and countries that I would like to share with you.
Here are my recommendations:
Purse and Jewelry – Carry your money, bank- and credit cards on the body in a money belt and never in your pocket, purse, shoulder bag or backpack. Carry your bags and backpacks closed in front of the body. I also recommend buying skimming-protected RFID bags or belt for additional security of your bank- and credit cards. Do not wear expensive jewelry and watches. Also, to reduce the risk of theft, leave everything that is not needed for your trip in the hotel safe.
Dangerous neighborhoods and streets – Inquire at the hotel about the “no go” neighborhoods and streets. A taxi costs a little money, but minimizes the risk of being robbed. For example, order a taxi at your hotel, not on the street. Avoid lonely paths, but also crowds on the sidewalks and squares or on public transport. Beware of thieves on motorcycles.
IDs, luggage and photographic – Keep your ID only in copy and place the originals in the hotel safe. Never leave your luggage and camera equipment, etc. unattended.
ATM and PIN – Withdraw your money at ATMs that are installed in a bank and keep your distance from other people so they can not spy on your PIN code. You should memorize the PIN code and never physically store it with your bank- and credit cards. Count the money discreetly and not in public on the street.
Emergence numbers – Make a note of the most important telephone numbers you need in an emergency, e.g. to block your bank and credit cards. Keep a copy of these numbers with you and leave a copy in the hotel safe. Do not rely on the stored numbers in the mobile phone, even that can be stolen.
Nevertheless and despite all these arrangements, I wish you a nice and relaxing holiday!
Street in Naples Italy
Es geschah an einem sonnigen Tag in Neapel in Italien. Ich wurde von Trickdieben ausgeraubt und ich habe nichts bemerkt, nichts! Mein Portemonnaie, das ich in meiner mit Reissverschluss verschlossen Umhängetasche auf mir trug, war plötzlich weg! Ich, der vorsichtige, der “erfahrene” und umsichtige Vielreisende wurde unbemerkt von Meisterdieben bestohlen. Mein Bargeld, die Bank- und Kreditkarten waren weg! Das Blockieren der Karten kam zu spät. Die Diebe hatten Waren innerhalb von Minuten nachdem sie gestohlen wurden mit diesen Karten gekauft und das ohne im Besitz des PIN-Codes zu sein! Nachdem ich den Diebstahl bemerkt hatte, meldete ich mich sofort bei der neapolitanischen Polizei. Dort zuckten sie mit den Schultern und fragten mich, in welcher Sprache ich die Strafanzeige einreichen möchte. Trickdiebstähle dieser Art, vor allem von organisierten und technisch gut ausgestatteten Banden, oft mit Kindern, erklärten sie mir, passierten täglich in grosser Zahl. Es schien mir, als hätte die Polizei kapituliert.
Ganz abgesehen von der emotionalen Belastung wurde der finanzielle Schaden teilweise durch die Versicherung gedeckt. Als Folge dieses Vorfalls bin ich noch vorsichtiger und habe für mich einen “Aktionsplan” für zukünftige Besuche in Städten und Ländern mit hohem Risiko erarbeitet welchen ich mit euch teilen möchte.
Hier sind meine Empfehlungen:
Geldbörse und Schmuck – Tragen Sie Ihr Geld und ihre Bank- und Kreditkarten am Körper in einem Geldgürtel und niemals in Ihrer Tasche, Handtasche, Umhängetasche oder Rucksack. Tragen Sie Ihre Taschen und Rucksäcke geschlossen vor dem Körper. Außerdem empfehle ich den Kauf von Skimming-geschützten RFID-Taschen oder Gürtel für einen zusätzlichen Schutz Ihrer Bank- und Kreditkarten. Tragen Sie keine teure Schmuckstücke und Uhren. Um das Risiko eines Diebstahls zu reduzieren, lassen Sie alles was für Ihre Reise nicht benötigt wird im Hotelsafe.
Gefährliche Viertel und Straßen – Erkundigen Sie sich im Hotel über die “no go” Viertel und Strassen. Ein Taxi kostet ein wenig Geld, aber das Risiko, bestohlen oder ausgeraubt zu werden, wird damit minimiert. Bestellen Sie das Taxi zum Beispiel in Ihrem Hotel und nicht auf der Straße. Vermeiden Sie einsame Pfade, aber auch Menschenmengen auf den Gehsteigen und Plätzen oder in öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln. Vorsicht vor Dieben auf Motorrädern.
Ausweise, Gepäck und Fotoausrüstung – Bewahren Sie Ihren Ausweis nur in Kopie auf und legen Sie die Originale in das Hotelsafe. Lassen Sie Ihr Gepäck und Ihre Kameraausrüstung, etc. niemals unbeaufsichtigt.
Geldautomat und PIN – Heben Sie Bargeld an Geldautomaten ab welche in einer Bank installiert sind und halten Sie Abstand zu anderen Personen damit sie Ihren PIN-Code nicht ausspionieren können. Sie sollten sich den PIN merken und ihn auf keinen Fall mit Ihrer Kreditkarte zusammen physisch aufbewahren. Zählen Sie das Geld diskret und nicht auf der Straße.
Notrufnummern – Notieren Sie sich die wichtigsten Telefonnummern die Sie im Notfall benötigen, z.B. um Ihre Bank- und Kreditkarten zu blockieren. Tragen Sie eine Kopie dieser Nummern bei sich und hinterlassen Sie eine Kopie im Hotelsafe. Verlassen Sie sich nicht auf die gespeicherten Nummern im Mobiltelefon, auch das kann gestohlen werden.
Und trotz all dieser Vorkehrungen wünsche ich Ihnen einen schönen und erholsamen Urlaub!
Rolandomio Travel 
sounds like an unpleasant
place for a tourist 🙂
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That totally sucks! I hope it didn’t spoil the rest of your trip!
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Yes, a little bit…I was lucky that I had another Credit Card and some cash left in the Hotel…:)
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I’m sorry to hear that but glad you had a backup and could continue on with the trip at least 🙂
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Plus I hope karma has something in store for whoever stole your stuff!
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Thanks for sharing your experience
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Your welcome! Thanks for following me!
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Pleasure reading your posts
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This is so awful! But thanks for the tips though! Just came back from Amsterdam and I was always so worried about my wallet etc.
Have a good day!
Sophie
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Hi Sophie, a good day to you as well! Roland
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Sorry to hear that. Naples is definitely one of the sketchier cities in Italy. Thanks for sharing your story and providing some helpful tips on how to keep your money safe.
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Thanks for your feedback! I have been many, many times in Italy and it was the first time that I was robbed like this! In January, I walked through the poor districts in La Paz, Bolivia with my wallet (empty) in my back pocket….and nothing happened, nobody stole it! So much to the negative press about South America!
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Hallo Roland, die Fotos und die Tipps sind hervorragend, aber die englische Version ist etwas steif, da offenbar direkt aus dem D übersetzt. – Weiter so! Aber für die E Version lieber freier ausdrücken und nicht 1:1, am besten einen netten Anglophone fragen (btw, I am one)
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Hallo Gina, ich danke Dir für das Feedback. Ich werde versuchen mein E in den nächsten Posts zu verbessern 🙂 Liebe Grüsse, Roland
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Hi Roland
This just happened to me (also a savvy traveller) in Naples. They only got my passport, also from a zippered pocket on a shoulder bag. had to go to Rome for an emergency travel document with one day to spare. Expensive experience. I’ll be blogging about this next week
Kenneth
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Sorry to hear that Kenneth! I was sure that it wouldn‘t happen to me, but I was mistaken! These are well organized Gangs and the Police gave up on it!!!
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Hello manwalksinto…
Believe me, Rolando is right.
It happened in Barcelona, 5 pm, suburban train.
Same with me, same savvy, same organized criminals, shoved me on the left in a thick throng, unzippered on the right – my waist wallet.
Had to go to two police stations in two countries (whatever happened to Europe?) + apply for 2nd documents all round.
Luckily they “only” got cash, train tickets for the group of 30, my hubby canceled my EC card immediately.
More luckily, I still had my cell and my VISA. And 4 more days with 30 underage kids with little Spanish.
There is worse!
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Sorry to hear that Gina! I know what you went through in this situation! Take care!
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What you mean is : BEWARE! or they will take care!
sorry for the pun…
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Sorry to hear that. We (Italians) know that we must be really careful when visiting that marvellous city
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Thanks! I love Naples and will go back again!
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Please do! It is amazing…
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Sorry to hear about your experience, my sister-in-law just went through Naples and loved it but had been told to be very careful there with her stuff. I’m going to e-mail her your tips just as a precaution!
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Hi, tell her to be particularly careful in and around the trainstation (it happened to me there) and at the harbor….Thanks for visiting my post! Have a nice weekend!
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What a bad experience. I use a travel bag with straps which cannot be cut and besides zippers, it also has a latch. So far I haven’t had any problems. My husband uses the money belt that you suggested.
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Great Debbie! Enjoy your travels! Take care, Roland
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Great advice, sorry it came at considerable cost to yourself. I had a similar experience in Barcelona. I came out of a club after a few drinks, I was with a friend and someone started to dance with me in the street and that was it. My wallet gone, I think my experience was quite different to yours. I wasn’t being careful at the time. For me, as a lone traveller, I ‘feel’ my most vulnerable times are when I move from one place to another, with everything. I’m slower, usually distracted and can’t avoid looking like a traveller with all my worldly possessions. Also, when I go out to socialise, I leave everything but the cash I need. Great post! Thanks for sharing.
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Great post! Lost my wallet once on the roller coaster!
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Thanks for your comment! I know what you went through….!
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Experience is the best teacher and an adventurer
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