OK, So what's the Con here

OK, So what's the Con here

Author
Discussion

CedGTV

Original Poster:

2,538 posts

253 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
I am working in Belgravia and have to pop down to builders merchants at the end of Ebury Street every now and then and invariable when I do there is usually a Eastern European type who walks towards me and pretends to pick a 'solid gold' wedding ring from behind me just as we pass. The first time it happened I must admit I felt for the ring on my finger but now can predict who and when they try it.

They just get jogged on now.

So my question is what would be the con ?

PeanutHead

7,839 posts

169 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
Next time he bobs down to pick up the ring, get him in a headlock and squeeze until he tells all.
I have no idea.

sinizter

3,348 posts

185 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
When we were in Paris, multiple people tried this on us - but unfortunately for them I saw them doing this to someone else long before they approached us.

I don't get what the con is, as I wasn't watching too carefully.

Maybe a distraction technique so they or an accomplice can get closer ?

Will follow thread with some interest.

blindswelledrat

25,257 posts

231 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
NO idea either.
DId they try and sell you the ring at all?

PeanutHead

7,839 posts

169 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
sinizter said:
When we were in Paris, multiple people tried this on us - but unfortunately for them I saw them doing this to someone else long before they approached us.

I don't get what the con is, as I wasn't watching too carefully.

Maybe a distraction technique so they or an accomplice can get closer ?

Will follow thread with some interest.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1756323

basherX

2,463 posts

160 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
It's an established con

He pretends he's found a solid gold ring and then shows you that it won't fit his finger so he gives it to you as a gift but then pesters for money in exchange. Some people hand the ring back (he'll resist this); some part with cash.

It's not gold, obviously.

There are variations but that's the gist.

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

227 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
The last time anyone tried anything like this with me, I woke up an hour later with a sore bum.

Potatoes

3,572 posts

169 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
What a rubbsh scam!!

This was tried on me years ago in North London, I had no idea what was going on so just ignored the gypsy and carried on with my day.

Only now do I realise they were trying to get free money from me.

CedGTV

Original Poster:

2,538 posts

253 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
No BSR they don't get to open their mouths before being told to do one.

The getting money off you sounds plausible as they have no one else around to try a diversion trick.

basherX

2,463 posts

160 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
CedGTV said:
No BSR they don't get to open their mouths before being told to do one.

The getting money off you sounds plausible as they have no one else around to try a diversion trick.
It's just a slightly more elaborate way of begging. Have seen it a few times recently on the South Bank but it's mainly ladies doing it. I think they run this trick along the strip by the Eye whilst their menfolk run the gambling one on Westminster bridge (although a load got arrested recently)

Seems that tourists are easy pickings: some people seem to leave their brains at home when they come to London on holiday.

Ikemi

8,438 posts

204 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
basherX said:
It's an established con

He pretends he's found a solid gold ring and then shows you that it won't fit his finger so he gives it to you as a gift but then pesters for money in exchange. Some people hand the ring back (he'll resist this); some part with cash.

It's not gold, obviously.

There are variations but that's the gist.
This ... My girlfriend and I were approached by a beggar in Paris using the same technique.

Edited by Ikemi on Friday 6th July 14:38

Pixel Pusher

10,188 posts

158 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
funkyrobot said:
The last time anyone tried anything like this with me, I woke up an hour later with a sore bum.
You haven't got the hang of the "fingering the ring" scam yet then?

hehe

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

227 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
Pixel Pusher said:
You haven't got the hang of the "fingering the ring" scam yet then?

hehe
I think I'm getting the concept wrong; a little. smile

Potatoes

3,572 posts

169 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
RE: OK, So what's the Con here

why the random capital letters?

Sushi

858 posts

199 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
Potatoes said:
RE: OK, So what's the Con here

why the random capital letters?
Why the lack of capital letters?

Potatoes

3,572 posts

169 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
paperbag

catman

2,490 posts

174 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
I've had this done to me twice, by the same guy! He pretended to "find" the ring near my front wheel, then gave it to me, and asked if it was real gold.

Sure enough, inside the ring were some quite authentic looking hallmarks.
He then tried the ring on. It was too small, so he then gave me the ring and asked for a gift of cash in return.

He looked really puzzled when I gave it back to him.

Tim

0a

23,879 posts

193 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
I'm so embarrassed that I can remember this came up before in a post: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Life Saab Itch said:
Gare du Nord is full of them, as is Gare de Lyon as at last Thursday.

Watch out for the ring trick which seems to be very popular with them in Paris. Peasant sidles up to you, reaches down to the floor and picks up a brass but hallmarked wedding run - big fat jobbie not unlike a large plumbing olive and asks if it is yours. Then they want you to buy it off them - and it seems with many, the greed kicks in for 10 euros and "cash for gold" when back in the uk (not me by the way). Of course, it is worthless crap.

Good old socialist care and lack of border controls keeping us all on our toes.

GTIR

24,741 posts

265 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
Sushi said:
Potatoes said:
RE: OK, So what's the Con here

why the random capital letters?
Why the lack of capital letters?
Give me £10 and I'll tell thee.

steveatesh

4,893 posts

163 months

Friday 6th July 2012
quotequote all
Potatoes said:
RE: OK, So what's the Con here

why the random capital letters?
From the thread title I was expecting to see a picture of D. Cameron with a thread asking if anybody can point to where his Conservative thinking is.....

Still, I learned another reason to be thankful for the north / south divide wink