A seasoned travel expert is alerting visitors to Italy about the notorious “rose scam” that preys on unsuspecting tourists in bustling cities like Rome, Venice, and Milan.
With just a single flower, these crafty scammers can leave you reaching for your wallet — whether you intended to or not.
Guido Terzuoli, a travel expert at My Rental Homes, which offers luxury villas and apartments in the most exclusive Mediterranean destinations, has raised the alarm on this scam that has left many tourists feeling duped.
“Watch out for the rose scam when you’re exploring Italy’s major cities,” the expert advises.
Here’s how it unfolds: strolling along a lively piazza or down a quiet cobbled street, you may be approached by a person holding roses. Suddenly, a rose will be dropped or thrust toward you. Instinctively, you might bend to pick it up, perhaps as a polite gesture or simply out of curiosity. And that’s when the trick begins.
As the expert explains, “If you pick up the rose, even just to hand it back, the scammer insists it’s now yours and demands payment, often saying, ‘It’s yours now; you owe me a Euro or two for it.’”
The persistence of these sellers can be surprising. “Even if you try to return the rose, they refuse, saying it’s no longer theirs,” the expert notes, warning that tourists often end up paying to avoid the confrontation.
So how can travellers avoid this trap? The solution, the expert says, is straightforward: “Simply ignore them. Don’t even look at anyone holding out roses. Walk by confidently, and don’t engage.”
“Don’t pick up the rose, just leave it there on the ground. Believe me, this happens to tourists every day. It’s particularly common in larger cities, so be mindful when you’re visiting Italy’s most famous spots.”
Other common scams in Italian tourist areas
Besides the rose scam, tourists in Italy should be aware of other popular scams that target sightseers.
These include the “friendship bracelet” scam, where someone ties a bracelet around your wrist and then demands money, and the “fake petition” scam, where tourists are approached to sign a petition and then pressured for a donation.
Having a sense of these scams beforehand can help travellers feel more confident navigating tourist hotspots safely.