First let me say that I could not feel more stupid.

Walking down the street I noticed a "game" of three discs, one with white on the bottom. Made the mistake of stopping to look - one person bet 50 euro lost, then a woman bet 100 euro and won, next person lost and..... two discs left the game player tells me I have won! A bit shocked I lost my common sense - well they asked to see my money - grabbed 200 euros from wallet (why did I ignore the little voice whispering Nigeria in my head?). All the while confederates telling me "you've won, you've won". I was then asked to turn the disc over - which of course did not have a white spot - when I demanded my money back I was physically restrained by the confederates (of course all of the players and others in the crowd were confederates).

I reported to the police (who were very nice) who told me that it is illegal to bet (?show money) on the street - and of course these people prey on tourists.

A clever variant on pickpockets - getting you to show them your money! Of course if it is too good to be true............

Can I claim temporary insanity (gross stupidity)? Just a warning/reminder to others!

I wonder if the estate of PT Barnum gets a royalty?

I saw this scam several times on La Rambla in Barcelona, as well as (oddly enough) the L in Chicago. It has several variations--with cards, balls under cups, etc.

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss.

Well Barnum should get a royalty. The difference about this game was that I DID NOT volunteer to play - I was just totally taken in (soooo embarrassed) by the claim that I had "won" (of course how could I since I hadn't played!!!) right like the street people just wanted to give me money. I only posted to hopefully make others aware of this variance of the old shell game.

Oh well, I got to see the inside of a Paris police station (no extra charge).

I'm confused here. How did they get your 200 euro? Did you hand it to them or did they grab it out of your wallet? I'm curious as to why you would have pulled out your wallet in the first place.

(Please don't take this as criticism, as most of us have fallen for something or other at some time or another).

Thats just terrible, its a good thing you have us fellow Fts who you can trust. In fact I want to help you get your money back and then some.


I am Mr.Emory Barr, Accounts Manager, of Abbey National PLC
Bromley Rd Branch. I have an important business proposition for you.

On December 12th, 2001, a German contractor with the British Pertroleum co-orporation, United Kingdom ,Mr. Olaf Partetzke made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$ 17,350,000.00 (Seventeen Million Three Hundred Hundred and fifty Thousand Dollars only) in my branch.
Upon maturity,I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract employers, the British Pertroleum co-orporation that Mr.Olaf Partetzke died from an Automobile accident further investigation,
I found out that he died without making a WILL,and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.

I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Olaf Partetzke did not declare any kin or relations in
all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$ 17,350,000.00 is still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one will ever come forward to claim it. According to inheritance Laws of the United Kingdom, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Local Government Authorities here in Wales, United Kingdom, if nobody applies to claim the fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you to stand in as the next of kin to Mr. Olaf Partetzke
so that the fruits of this old man's labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials.This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full names and address so that the attorney will prepare the necessary documents and affidavits that will put you in place as the next of kin. We shall employ the services of an attorney for drafting and notarization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favor for the transfer. The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio of 60% for me and 35% for you and 5% for Expenses Incurred in the course of the transaction .

There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the attorney and with my position as the Manager with my bank will guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested, please reply immediately to my private email
box : [email protected]

Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction. You should observe utmost confidentiality, and rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country.

Awaiting your urgent reply.
Thanks and regards.
Emory Barr

Just kidding but seriously I'm tired of those emails.

This is an international scam, not a French one. Do a Google search on "Three Card Monte." I first saw this game 30 years ago in Times Square and its history dates back long before that.

OT - Love the sig line.

"I'm a Dapper Dan man!"

OP -- If you will PM me and send me 100 Euros, I will tell you how you can best go about getting your money back.

They were playing on Christmas Day 2008 all along 5th Avenue. It was actually entertaining just how many of the touts were out that day. I shouted out as I walked past one of the hustles as it was going on to try to save some of the tourists, but I doubt it worked too well. Too bad.

Almost all cons have one requirement to work: a mark who is greedy. Points for you for trying to save some people from themselves but, I agree -- it probably didn't work out too well.

Yes, we've all seen 3 Card Monte. I got my first view of it on a trip to NYC as a junior high student back in the 70s. Nothing new under the sun, but...

The interesting twist here, as I understand it, is the use of mob mentality to coerce him into thinking it was "his turn" to play on account of where he was standing. Usually, you're intimidated into playing the second time. Now, you're bullied to play the first time. New twist on an old con, if you will.

The "You're a winner"/"Show your money" non sequitor combination is quite common in travel scams. I remember my wife's college roommate getting suckered on this. She "won" travel vouchers for cruises to God-knows-where (which, of course, were unusable and worthless), but mysteriously had to pay $300 in "handling expenses". If you're really a winner, money shouldn't be going out of your wallet.

Never trust a Hogwallop!

Try telling that to the IRS.