peoffrey
Well-Known Member
There was a bad attempt to rip me off in Istanbul but thankfully I began to realise it was a con and tricked my way out. I had two nights in Turkey on my way to Azerbaijan for a Wales match.
I was finishing my chicken kebab in a bistro bar near Taksim Square when two overtly friendly lads approached me. They were interested in my Wales football shirt mistakenly thinking it was Liverpool (like fuck) and were all “Gareth Bale team” when they worked out where it was. They claimed to be Cypriots although I now think they were Turks. One insisted on buying me another Efes and we sat together having a pint. My guard was down as I was merry.
One thing led to another and they insisted on another drink in a club they knew. Three girls were handedly waiting for us in a booth and drinks arrived. It dawned on me that I was in a hostess bar and that I’d not seen a menu for the prices. I went to the toilets and put my credit card, passport and all cash bar 50 Lira in my trainer and went back to the table. I couldn’t leave without getting past about four doormen.
A bill for 6600 Lira arrived and the two Cypriots insisted we had to pay it or we’d be killed. They were in on it obviously. They asked me for 2200 Lira to pay my share and I said I didn’t have it. I then tried to force my way out but a further half a dozen lads had turned up and one threw me up against the wall. The manager told them to leave me alone and led me to a corner.
I opened up my wallet to show just 50 Lira and he went through it to check no cards etc. He made me empty my pockets too. Upon seeing I had nothing and believing my story that the lads said they’d pay; he let me leave for free. I got a kick and a punch in the back from the goons but left largely unscathed. It was frightening.
I went to the little cafe bar next to my hotel for a beer to calm down and retrieve everything from my trainer. A quick Google told me it’s a popular scam and I’m just thankful I got away with it.
Never allow anyone to take you to a bar you don’t know whilst you’re away. They have clip joints in London etc.
I was finishing my chicken kebab in a bistro bar near Taksim Square when two overtly friendly lads approached me. They were interested in my Wales football shirt mistakenly thinking it was Liverpool (like fuck) and were all “Gareth Bale team” when they worked out where it was. They claimed to be Cypriots although I now think they were Turks. One insisted on buying me another Efes and we sat together having a pint. My guard was down as I was merry.
One thing led to another and they insisted on another drink in a club they knew. Three girls were handedly waiting for us in a booth and drinks arrived. It dawned on me that I was in a hostess bar and that I’d not seen a menu for the prices. I went to the toilets and put my credit card, passport and all cash bar 50 Lira in my trainer and went back to the table. I couldn’t leave without getting past about four doormen.
A bill for 6600 Lira arrived and the two Cypriots insisted we had to pay it or we’d be killed. They were in on it obviously. They asked me for 2200 Lira to pay my share and I said I didn’t have it. I then tried to force my way out but a further half a dozen lads had turned up and one threw me up against the wall. The manager told them to leave me alone and led me to a corner.
I opened up my wallet to show just 50 Lira and he went through it to check no cards etc. He made me empty my pockets too. Upon seeing I had nothing and believing my story that the lads said they’d pay; he let me leave for free. I got a kick and a punch in the back from the goons but left largely unscathed. It was frightening.
I went to the little cafe bar next to my hotel for a beer to calm down and retrieve everything from my trainer. A quick Google told me it’s a popular scam and I’m just thankful I got away with it.
Never allow anyone to take you to a bar you don’t know whilst you’re away. They have clip joints in London etc.