A British expat living in Benidorm has issued a warning to holidaymakers about a new scam involving people with clipboards approaching tourists along the beachfront. Frank, who moved to the Spanish resort 13 years ago and runs a party hosting business, shared the alert on TikTok on Tuesday, June 10.
In the video, Frank explains that fraudsters ask passers-by to sign a petition, often claiming it is for a charitable cause such as helping the blind or disabled. Once signed, they pressure the individual into making a donation. Frank's partner described the petitions as 'full of a load of rubbish' and noted that the practice is illegal in Spain.
Several TikTok users confirmed falling for the trick. One said her husband, who is deaf, was approached by a man claiming to be deaf, and they did not realise it was a scam until later. Another user reported being scammed by the 'potato game' three years ago, while others described being asked for €10 or having to repeatedly refuse before the scammer left.
In a separate clip, Frank highlighted another common issue: phone theft. He described how thieves approach tourists asking for help with Google Maps, then snatch the phone and run off when it is pulled out.
Benidorm, located on the Costa Blanca, remains a popular destination for British tourists, accounting for 45% of overnight stays in 2024, with over 600,000 visitors. The city has 32 British pubs and is known for low beer prices.
