Istanbul ITK Report - Avoid Falling For This Con - IMPORTANT

[MCFCinUSA]

This may not matter if the team doesn't do the business, but I wanted to write and advise people now (and maybe again later) just to ensure I catch as many people as possible about this potential problem:-

While walking yesterday in Taksim (the central square of a business/tourist district & Metro location) I was on my way to an appointment when I was stopped by some youngish-looking guy like Che Guevara and he goes "Identification!" to me as he flashes this red 'Polis' (Police) ID card to me at chest height but only to me.

Something just didn't seem right about this on account he looked in his early 20s and looked a bit unkempt (Turkish police are not normally like this).

I didn't bother using any Turkish to him deliberately, but responded in a rather annoyed tone to him in English "I'm British, NOT Turkish, what are you on about!?" and he repeated his demand. I stood my ground and got even more agitated, when he tried a third time, to which without using "fuck" I got even more annoyed and then he just waved me on. I walked off without hanging around, but wondered what the fuck that was all about, since I've had dealings with cops here and that didn't seem too much like one of them. My instincts just told me this was off for some reason, but I wasn't sure what this was all about.

A friend of mine who is Turkish, an old work colleague of mine here when I taught at a university just explained to me on the telephone now what this might have been. A friend of his from Germany fell victim to a scam like this a few years ago when he was stopped and asked for ID by someone pretending to be a cop. He was padded down, and the guy found his wallet and said "what's this?" - before giving it back; seemingly hardly touching it. He was then 'released'. Later on, when he examined his wallet it was lighter by 500 Euros.

If I see that arsehole tomorrow when I'll be back in Taksim I'll be looking for a real policeman to introduce him to, if that is I don't end up disabling him first myself.

Be careful if you're out here - I wasn't aware of this con until today, and I've lived here for three-and-a-half years and have made more trips than I can remember to Istanbul.

 

[joe salford]

thanks for the info. Hopefully i will take that with me in May!
Anyhow, can you advise. Where is the best, nearest resort to Istanbul to stay as we will probably be going out for 5 days if we make it. Also do you have any knowledge of the internal transport systems to Istanbul.

 

[mcfc.macca]

Cheers for the warning.



do they wear curly shoes and have tasches?

 

[MCFCinUSA]

Wow, that's a mixed bunch of questions...

I'll say this in general about Istanbul - it's ranked consistently as one of the top if not the top tourist destination for travellers worldwide, although before I came here (for a girl) I had next to no knowledge or idea about it or Turkey.

Anyone who is thinking of coming out here should we get to the final should consider taking a few extra days off and making a party of it... you won't be disappointed.

Food is fantastic, although like anywhere, you'll find the good along with the bad.

Public transport is widespread, although I can't stand using the buses (compared to what you'd get in the USA) but tolerate them when necessary. Traffic is the pits, but that's probably what you'd expect from any major metro big scale city.

Got to get off now, am checking out a hotel for a fellow BMer who has already booked!!

 

[Biggsy1]

Cheers for the advice, but by the time we get to Istanbul I dont think there will be much in the wallet anyway, these euro tours are starting to add up!

 

[blue jim]

Big tourist destination so I assume there are plenty of cheap hostels?

No chance of me getting a ticket but I'd still go.

 

[Ticket For Schalke]

Ducardo get her on the list!!!

 

[SWSB]

went to Kusadasi a few years back and have to say it was without doubt the worst holiday ever with guys over there constantly harassing you to go in their shop throughout the holiday,couldnt wait to get back to Salford and thats saying something.Wouldnt be surprised if Istanbul is the same.Never again will take a holiday over there.

 

[Ticket For Schalke]

went to Kusadasi a few years back and have to say it was without doubt the worst holiday ever with guys over there constantly harassing you to go in their shop throughout the holiday,couldnt wait to get back to Salford and thats saying something.Wouldnt be surprised if Istanbul is the same.Never again will take a holiday over there.

Never been to Thailand then lol!!!

 

[sdm]

If we are in the final,i'll be there con artist or not.If it was in Helmand province i'd be there.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

went to Kusadasi a few years back and have to say it was without doubt the worst holiday ever with guys over there constantly harassing you to go in their shop throughout the holiday,couldnt wait to get back to Salford and thats saying something.Wouldnt be surprised if Istanbul is the same.Never again will take a holiday over there.

Never been to Thailand then lol!!!

Or Egypt.

 

[blue jim]

went to Kusadasi a few years back and have to say it was without doubt the worst holiday ever with guys over there constantly harassing you to go in their shop throughout the holiday,couldnt wait to get back to Salford and thats saying something.Wouldnt be surprised if Istanbul is the same.Never again will take a holiday over there.

The Italian place on Portland street does that. Got a cheap pizza out of it.

 

[spogga]

went to Kusadasi a few years back and have to say it was without doubt the worst holiday ever with guys over there constantly harassing you to go in their shop throughout the holiday,couldnt wait to get back to Salford and thats saying something.Wouldnt be surprised if Istanbul is the same.Never again will take a holiday over there.

Never been to Thailand then lol!!!

Or Egypt.

Now Egypt is one place I'll never visit again.

Flies as big as sodding bats, smelly arsed little kids begging on every street corner, sand in your hair,crack of your arse everyfookinwhere.

And the grub sucks monkey balls

 

[laserblue]

This may not matter if the team doesn't do the business, but I wanted to write and advise people now (and maybe again later) just to ensure I catch as many people as possible about this potential problem:-

While walking yesterday in Taksim (the central square of a business/tourist district & Metro location) I was on my way to an appointment when I was stopped by some youngish-looking guy like Che Guevara and he goes "Identification!" to me as he flashes this red 'Polis' (Police) ID card to me at chest height but only to me.

Something just didn't seem right about this on account he looked in his early 20s and looked a bit unkempt (Turkish police are not normally like this).

I didn't bother using any Turkish to him deliberately, but responded in a rather annoyed tone to him in English "I'm British, NOT Turkish, what are you on about!?" and he repeated his demand. I stood my ground and got even more agitated, when he tried a third time, to which without using "fuck" I got even more annoyed and then he just waved me on. I walked off without hanging around, but wondered what the fuck that was all about, since I've had dealings with cops here and that didn't seem too much like one of them. My instincts just told me this was off for some reason, but I wasn't sure what this was all about.

A friend of mine who is Turkish, an old work colleague of mine here when I taught at a university just explained to me on the telephone now what this might have been. A friend of his from Germany fell victim to a scam like this a few years ago when he was stopped and asked for ID by someone pretending to be a cop. He was padded down, and the guy found his wallet and said "what's this?" - before giving it back; seemingly hardly touching it. He was then 'released'. Later on, when he examined his wallet it was lighter by 500 Euros.

If I see that arsehole tomorrow when I'll be back in Taksim I'll be looking for a real policeman to introduce him to, if that is I don't end up disabling him first myself.

Be careful if you're out here - I wasn't aware of this con until today, and I've lived here for three-and-a-half years and have made more trips than I can remember to Istanbul.

this con trick is used in barcelona too. except they try to fuck off with your passport as well.

 

[MCFCinUSA]

I was in Rome once and a bunch of kids with an opened (large) cardboard box were using it to distract tourist couples while pickpocketing them. You had to get out of their way fast too, as they were crafty little operators.

I've never known about the fake Police ID trick though... this guy just wasn't convincing to me as I've never known a Turkish cop to look like he did.

Had a nice chat with a real one holding a big machine gun today, near two armoured personnel carriers by some building they were guarding, as I wanted directions to the hotel I was trying to find. I'd wandered about a part of town that didn't look too hot and which even had me wondering what I was doing there, so I headed back for the main drag and saw these heavily armed police stopping people from entering this apartment complex.

Regarding shop keepers, anyone who can't deal with them has my sympathy.. LOL I don't think you'd fare too well with me on my travels, as I've had my life threatened on occasion by people I've been doing business with, and I seem to get into various sorts of scrapes with those I don't even know. They're not all out to get me, but I mean shopkeepers??? Hope you don't go down like a sack of spuds when you get a bruised eyelash too.

I just wouldn't want any blues coming to any misfortune if we get here in May and lots of us come out.

On the flights & hotel fronts, how many people do you think will want to travel?

Tickets I can get through various contacts I know with connections to Fenerbahce (and I once met with their general manager) and if enough people wanted to, it might be possible to charter a flight from Manchester at advantageous prices - once we know we're definitely going to go - just in case there's a scramble for seats and the majors try to gouge everyone.

It would certainly be fantastic if City took over Istanbul for a few days, ehehe, and I think from everyone I've been speaking to here about it, we'd be very warmly welcomed. Everyone would have a great time - even those not equipped to deal with pushy shop-keepers; and I don't believe they're that enthusiastic here - I've not had any problems, but then again, I may be a little more robust.

PS if you are engaged by someone very pushy, try haggling with them but instead of decreasing on their offers start increasing them, and enjoy the puzzled expression and total bewilderment you can create! ENJOY it. Everything's an experience, it's not going to be 100% like home, and it's going to be a little strange & different; customs here are VERY different in more ways than you can realise, but I'll curtail this now as I could write a book about it.