World's Worst Travel Scams

The Gypsy Baby Toss

Where: Italy, Eastern Europe

The Scam: Here’s a variation of the Newspaper Attack, as told by Peter Greenberg, travel editor of CBS News: the victim—usually a single female traveler—is approached by a gypsy woman carrying a baby in a blanket, who tosses the child into the arms of the victim. Cohorts grab the victim’s purse, wallet, camera, and anything else they can snatch amid the confusion. After the crooks run away, the victim discovers that the “baby” is nothing more than a doll.

Advice: Avoid gypsies and beggars on the street, and move away if they try to approach you.