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Travel safe by being aware of local criminal activities

11/6/2012

10 Comments

 
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     No matter how safe an area appears, there is always going to be some crime. And there’s always crime against tourists especially, because local criminals know that we are typically carrying the good stuff. Money, electronics and other valuables are never truly safe while traveling abroad, (or even in our own countries) but there are precautions that you can take to avoid becoming the victim. Besides some of the more obvious precautions - like blending in and not appearing immediately as a tourist - it’s a necessity to make yourself aware of common criminal themes and plots.

     Prior to traveling to any destination, it’s smart to spend some time studying and becoming knowledgeable about the typical style of local crimes and what to be on the lookout for. Search online for known crimes in the areas in which you will be traveling, you will be able to find countless websites and forum discussions outlining everything you need to keep in mind while traveling abroad. An important website, not only for U.S. citizens is http://travel.state.gov. The U.S. Department of State’s travel affairs website makes it exceedingly easy to stay up-to-date on common crimes, dangers and risks, which are conveniently listed by country.

Various common crimes on tourists, by country:
     Brazil - high crime rate, high murder rate, violent crimes, theft in public, day and night crimes, quick-napping, pick pocketing, theft from parked and moving cars, diversion scams by a group of thieves working together (especially including the use of children), theft of unattended items, ATM related theft, counterfeit or stolen goods for sale
     China - moderate crime rate, bag pick pocketing, drugged assault, narcotics, high price billing scams for taxis and tours and restaurants, bootleg and pirated goods for sale, counterfeit or stolen goods for sale, counterfeit currency, political and religious activity involvement may result in physical abuse and deportation, diversion scams by a group of thieves working together, theft of unattended items, impostor police officials
     Egypt - increased crime rate since recent civil unrest, carjacking by weapon, sexual assault, pick pocketing, purse snatching, marriage fraud
     England - low crime rate except in London, violent crimes, pick pocketing, mugging, smash and grab theft, theft of unattended items, impostor police officials, theft or rape from unlicensed taxis, drugged assault
     France - low crime rate except in Paris, semi-violent crimes, mugging, pick pocketing, residential break-ins, bicycle theft, sexual assault, smash and grab theft, theft of unattended items, purse snatching
     Iraq - high crime rate, extremely high terrorist activity rate, large-scale attacks, lethal attacks toward those associated with Iraqi government and the United States, armed carjacking, U.S. citizen kidnapping, fatal hostage kidnappings, violent religious and political demonstrations, bombing of large gatherings, petty theft, pick pocketing, counterfeit or stolen goods for sale
     Italy - moderate to high crime rate, pick pocketing, theft from parked and moving cars, purse snatching, drugged assault, sexual assault, diversion scams by a group of thieves working together (especially including the use of children), theft of unattended items, ATM skimming devices, impostor police officials
     Japan - low crime rate, U.S. citizen targeting, some pick pocketing, harassment, sexual assault, counterfeit or stolen goods for sale
     Kenya - extremely high crime rate, tourist attacks by armed assailants, violent and fatal crimes, violent and armed carjackings, home invasion burglaries, kidnappings, pick pocketing, snatch and run thefts, smash and grab thefts, con artists, impostor police officials, theft of unattended items, armed highway banditry, mail system theft, counterfeit and stolen goods for sale, sexual assault
     Mexico - extremely high crime rate, violent crimes, armed robbery, carjacking, high homicide rates, heavy organized crime activity, U.S. tourist targeting, kidnapping, drugged assault, rogue taxi theft, harassment, extortion, purse snatching, pick pocketing, con artists, impostor police officials, theft of unattended items, counterfeit and stolen goods for sale, sexual assault, ATM skimming devices

For more information and additional countries, please visit http://travel.state.gov.
(Photo from idhvalle-pnud.org)
10 Comments
Fran link
11/6/2012 08:23:05 pm

Hi, thanks for the follow up note from Twitter. This looks like great information. We have a similar site in Australia run by the Government that some of your readers may be interested in checking out. http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ It goes into detail about most countries and kept up to date.

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 03:41:07 pm

I love your website. It definitely was worth checking out. :) Thank you for sharing.

Reply
The Guy link
11/9/2012 04:13:53 am

Many thanks for the tips. There is nothing worse than losing your valuables when travelling.
Once whilst on an overnight train to Prague I had my travellers cheques stolen. This is even though our carriage was locked. I very strongly suspect it was the train guard since she is the only one who could have opened our carriage over night. When I told her that I wanted to report a theft she brushed me off and didn't want to know.

Always be alert but still enjoy yourself.

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 03:42:16 pm

You are most welcome. Knowledge is power. I hope that you find this information useful in regards to your travels.

Reply
Holise E Cleveland III link
12/13/2012 07:07:19 pm

If you are to go to Japan, I recommend watching the Academy Award Winning documentary "The Cove." One of the key players in this film is Ric O'Barry, former trainer of the dolphin Flipper. This movie is a "must see" for dolphin lovers. After viewing "The Cove" you may want to consider doing some research on and visiting Taiji, Japan in the Wakayama prefecture.

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 03:43:20 pm

Thank you for the information. I will certainly look into it. :)

Reply
Adrianna link
5/31/2013 03:29:32 am

You make it sound horrific to travel in Mexico! The border regions were plagues with cartel violence - many of those "tourists" were actually mules or associates of the cartel. Mexico is a fantastic place to vacation, in particular beyond the border zones. We have a fantastic platform for your viewers to see for themselves: www.gogringo.com. Thanks.

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 03:44:44 pm

I do not mean to make Mexico sound like that. It is important to keep much of this information in mind when traveling anywhere, especially outside of one's home country.

Reply
search criminal records link
7/8/2013 04:10:13 pm





This text is worth everyone’s attention. How can I find out more?




Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
2/9/2014 03:45:47 pm

Since this post I have written few more on the topic. I encourage you to check it out if you are interested. :)

Reply



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