I have a house in Abruzzo and pass through Rome times a year. My very cautious Italian friend had his backpack cut open and wallet nicked on the metro just last year. Glad to say I have not had this experience myself. Kind of hard to prove but on a 1/2 dozen or so occasions I have Rome barista's attempt to pull one over on me. The scam arises when you buy a coffee and/or sandwich or such and give the barista a 20 euro note. The barista reaches into the cash register and pulls out change as if you had given him/her 10 euros. After giving you change for 10 euros the barista will initiate some other activity at the bar while watching you out of the corner of their eye. If you remain at the bar the barista will return to the register, grab a 10 euro note and hand it to you. BUT....should you walk away from the bar the barista will quickly pocket the 10 euro note for his/her self. This to me is a rather clever maneuver and one which I would think is relatively low risk for the barista. Since this has happened to me almost exclusively in Rome I am convinced that this "furto" is probably taught in the course "Tourist Scams 101" at the local barista training school.