Beware: Brussels scam in Train Stations
Jan 5, 2008 | 8:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: SIN
Programs: AA-LT Plat; BA-LT GGL, SQ-Solitaire; AF-Plat; SPG-LT Plat; Hyatt-LT Globalist
Posts: 157
Beware: Brussels scam in Train Stations
I just survived an attempted scam. 
Feel pretty stupid about it now but was able to get my things back ^^^ due to dumb luck.
As I exited the train Brussels Central Station somebody squirted a milk like substance on the back of my jacket. A "do-gooder" told me about it and asked me if I wanted some tissue. I said thank you and kept walking for about 50 yards and then stopped by a pillar in the station to check my jacket. My Tumi roller bag and the laptop bag with the passport in it right by me. I looked at my jacket decided to ignore the squirt and turned to het my bag - the laptop bag was gone....
After looking around like I imagined Jason Bourne would
I of course did not see anybody with my laptop bag. A lady asked me if I wasmissing a bag and told me that the guy had headed off into one of the tunnels in the station. I ran wildly and chose 1 random direction and as luck would have it saw the guy about 50yards ahead. Shouting the choicest American profanities I could comeup with I followed the guy. The guy saw me, dropped the bag and ran away.
I got my bag back with all its contents.
FYI: Please beware when you arein Belgium specifically as I guess they have a serious petty theft and bag lifting problem.
FInally, as someone who travels to Europe about twice a month and then some to Asia, I feel pretty stupid about having fallen for it.
Now I have endless debate going on in my mind. Safer to keep passport in pocket or in laptop bag.
Feel pretty stupid about it now but was able to get my things back ^^^ due to dumb luck.As I exited the train Brussels Central Station somebody squirted a milk like substance on the back of my jacket. A "do-gooder" told me about it and asked me if I wanted some tissue. I said thank you and kept walking for about 50 yards and then stopped by a pillar in the station to check my jacket. My Tumi roller bag and the laptop bag with the passport in it right by me. I looked at my jacket decided to ignore the squirt and turned to het my bag - the laptop bag was gone....
After looking around like I imagined Jason Bourne would
I of course did not see anybody with my laptop bag. A lady asked me if I wasmissing a bag and told me that the guy had headed off into one of the tunnels in the station. I ran wildly and chose 1 random direction and as luck would have it saw the guy about 50yards ahead. Shouting the choicest American profanities I could comeup with I followed the guy. The guy saw me, dropped the bag and ran away. I got my bag back with all its contents.
FYI: Please beware when you arein Belgium specifically as I guess they have a serious petty theft and bag lifting problem.
FInally, as someone who travels to Europe about twice a month and then some to Asia, I feel pretty stupid about having fallen for it.
Now I have endless debate going on in my mind. Safer to keep passport in pocket or in laptop bag.
Jan 5, 2008 | 9:05 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ICN / 평택
Programs: AA, DL Gold, UA Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 8,713
That's a fairly common scam throughout the world. I don't think Brussels is any more or less prone to it than other cities. Its probably a good idea if someone does that nonsense to you (squirts you with something) to walk quickly to the nearest train station police officer before checking your stuff out. Or beat the everloving **** out of the person who squirted you, so maybe they will see fit to choose a less painful line of work.
Jan 5, 2008 | 9:15 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NYC & EGC
Programs: Recovering AA flyer, LT PLT 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,563
That's a big one in Buenos Aires, too. I and a colleague were squirted about 100 yards from our hotel, immediately realized what was going on and, cursing the a-holes all the way, got back to the hotel as quickly as we could. We didn't lose anything. My wallet is in a zippered front pocket; her purse is diagonally strapped to her with the top zippered shut and the zipper connected to the strap with a carabiner. We'd have to be violently assaulted to be robbed.
It pays to know the popular scams, wherever you're headed. Obviously, trying to be aware of your surroundings is always a good idea, but especially good when you might otherwise be drawn into a distraction.
It pays to know the popular scams, wherever you're headed. Obviously, trying to be aware of your surroundings is always a good idea, but especially good when you might otherwise be drawn into a distraction.
Jan 5, 2008 | 9:51 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,481
That's a big one in Buenos Aires, too. I and a colleague were squirted about 100 yards from our hotel, immediately realized what was going on and, cursing the a-holes all the way, got back to the hotel as quickly as we could. We didn't lose anything. My wallet is in a zippered front pocket; her purse is diagonally strapped to her with the top zippered shut and the zipper connected to the strap with a carabiner. We'd have to be violently assaulted to be robbed.
It pays to know the popular scams, wherever you're headed. Obviously, trying to be aware of your surroundings is always a good idea, but especially good when you might otherwise be drawn into a distraction.
It pays to know the popular scams, wherever you're headed. Obviously, trying to be aware of your surroundings is always a good idea, but especially good when you might otherwise be drawn into a distraction.