A traveller is warning holidaymakers about a simple scam targeting tourists in Europe, after items placed on restaurant tables led to demands for payment. Ruben Chorlton-Owen, a content creator from Abersoch, North Wales, encountered the trick during a three-week trip to Italy, visiting Naples, Rome and Catania.
Souvenir Left on Table Leads to Payment Demand
In a clip that has gained over a thousand views, Chorlton-Owen described how a small ornament or souvenir was already sitting on the table when he and his companions sat down at a restaurant. No one was trying to sell it, and it looked like something simply left behind.
After a while, they were told the item had been left there and they could take it if they wanted. Once they did, someone began following them and demanding payment. He said: "It caught me off guard because the item was already on our table before we even arrived."
Fake Ticketing and Other Tourist Traps
Chorlton-Owen found this scam to be quite common while in Pisa. He also highlighted fake ticketing around popular spots in Rome, such as the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum, where touts appear credible but valid tickets still need to be bought at official kiosks.
In the clip, he outlined five things every tourist should know before visiting Italy, including checking bus timetables, as there are three different versions: one online, one in person, and a different time given by people at the ticketing office. He also advised being careful with valuables in Rome, particularly necklaces, based on what locals told him.
Dining Prices Vary Across Cities
Chorlton-Owen noted that prices when dining out vary quite a bit between different cities, though he mentioned good deals such as a €1 Aperol Spritz and authentic pasta dishes for €8. He added: "Overall, Italy was brilliant and we had an amazing three weeks. Travelling through so many different places showed me just how different each destination can be."
