star_world

Excellent advice. The very act of wearing one of these will massively increase the chances of you getting robbed (or at least attempted robbery!)

JDiver

Probably not - they look like any old bum bag, especially if one "distresses" it a bit in advance of travel. Admittedly, I generally opt for lower profile ways of navigating. OTOH, regardless of what one is wearing, threats with weapons displays and/or a largely superior force is a very good cue to be cooperative (indeed, meek,) and hand over whatever the bad guys want. When that occurred to me in Seoul, it worked well - though I did manage to find my way back to the bad guys with cops and retrieved all my items.

For the best attractant, I highly recommend fine leather bags with names like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci or the like.

biggestbopper, Colombians are often skilled at one of the team producing a diversion whilst the other uses a razor skilfully to relieve those engaged of their values - they can cut open a bum bag, backpack or purse bottom, or even a trouser pocket, quite professionally, literally having the booty fall into their hands (and often passing it all off to yet another team member).

bensyd

Distressed or not distressed a bum bag is as sure a giveaway that an you're an American tourist as sandals with socks announces that your a German tourist.

Forstbetrieb

Or an American tourist, because they wear also white socks, shorts and sometimes even sandals or Birkenstock or sport shoes...