This is what happens when you democrats allows too man foreigners to come to the USA. They all become scam artists and crinimals and bothering normal folks! There are BILLIONS of getto, peasants around the world. They are all trying to come to the USA. And you Evil democrats allow them in!! You got what you paid for! And you the tax payers will pay for it dearly!!
When I visited NY, I was high (smoked weed that morning) and it was hot ASH. In a daze while walking into McDs there was a monk that came up to me, grabbed my hand and placed bracelets on me. I was so confused and he was asking for money and I gave him $2. Literally my friends were confused as well but I was like “Wtf…” and whatever and we kept it pushing. Literally when we came back home is when I asked them “Wtf just happened”💀
I love how most tourist scams can be ended by walking away. No matter how urgent their supposed need, after enough distance they'll need to get back to the concentration of people.
Exactly. Just walk away from these fuks. If they put their hands on you, pepper spray their ass. I give beggars money sometime but can’t stand people that overcharge and pressure/scam tourists.
I get second-hand anxiety just watching these interactions, I don't know what I'd do if I experienced this in person. Thank you for taking one for the team and educating us about these scams!
There was no Scam here. This girl posed as a tourist and (potentially illegally) recorded someone without their knowledge or consent and then purchased something from them and got a product in return. Then she went on social media, claiming she got scammed all to get clicks and demonize poor people in New York. What he did is hustle culture and it’s totally legal. What she did borders criminality.
But to be honest with you they target the white people they know black people aren't as gullible I'm not racist but it is what it is I'm from New York and I'm around a lot of them people that do a lot of them scams
Those Disney characters at time square are not only a scam but also not nice people. I hear them talking trash about everyone all the time in Spanish. I wouldn’t give them a dime.
When I was in NY I was standing outside waiting for my friends. A man came up to me and started to tell me very funny jokes. He was like my personal stand up comedian. Gave him 10$. Didn't felt scammed because I was truly entertained.
My mom visited me when I lived in New York and bought a hat from a guy who approached us with a charming and flattering pitch. It was her choice, and her friend back home really liked the hat.
Naked Cow Girl is Sandy Kane. She's legit just an old soul. Not really a scammer. She's a good egg. She was on Opie & Anthony a lot. Glad to see she's still alive and well!
The Bhuddist Monks are no different than Spider Man, Mini Mouse, Iron Man, etc...they're just people in costumes. Remember, it's okay and your right to say No. Great video Sarah!
It’s New York and it’s 2021. What that guy needed to do was not print CDs nobody can play but instead a thousand vinyl 45s to get in ‘the crates’ and hopefully onto the right play lists (assuming his music is any good)… And then go find the right record shops in Brooklyn, rather than anywhere near Time Square!
The lady monk grabbed me and my son by the arm and aggressively tried to get us to take a bracelet. Then the cd guy tried to give me the cd and said it’s not drugs when I said no thank you. Then he said something rude that I won’t post on here. The city needs to do something about these people because it’s not ok to be harassed or grabbed.
Yes, the CD guys harassed us and called us names when we wouldn't buy their cd - we didn't even stop, we just kept walking and they called us vulgar names. Nice guys!
lol u think the city can do this lmfao do u have any idea the amount of crime going on in the city or the amount of debt nyc is in? where the hell are u going to pay someone to go around and capture all these people? lmfao
I got scammed by those idiots in character costumes who demanded "tips" for a photo when they were actually extorting us. BEWARE of these freaks and stay away from them if you are in Times Square or any other tourist hotspot. These scammers will grab any cash you have in hand (after the pic). Thanks to people like Sarah for spreading awareness about these deceitful people.
Here’s a tip how not to get scammed in NYC... Just keep walking and don’t make eye contact with anyone. If you stop to look at something or take a picture, be aware of who is around you. If some one tries to touch u just keep walking. Don’t be so nice if they start busting your chops. Most important if all, DON’T LOOK LIKE A TOURIST.
Pathetic and sad, but true. Never stop to talk to any of those, accept that some of them will call you names when you ignore them. Better not to get into trouble, you've got more to lose than them.
Here is a better tip. Learn to simply just say "NO". Don't say "oh, I dont know... maybe blah blah". Do not feel like you have to *apologize* for saying "no". Just do it! After the first few times, you will get used to it, and it will be natural. How to say "no" is a good skill to learn.
The Naked Cowboy seems more like a street performer than a scam. How could that even be a scam? "Naked Cowboy revealed to be wearing invisible clothes all along." 🤷🤣
I was a victim of the CD ones. Soon as I opened my wallet to "donate" to them, a group of them surrounded and all thrust their hands in robbing me of $200. Ruined my holiday and is one of many reasons why I would never visit NYC again
I lived in NYC for 15 years and drove a yellow cab. I'd see the entire city in a single night. This was the 70's, before Times Square got Disneyfied, and it was a wilder place. There was one fellow I remember, who worked the area, he offered to compose and recite a poem for you. The charge was $1. MORAL OF THE STORY: They may be few, but there are sincere and earnest folks out there who enrich us all!
Vegas even worse. Organized crime controls the street performer show girls like pimps\hookers. Maybe are illegal without a spot permit. And Las Vegas law says no certain amount can be charged. Only a donation. But most girls charge from $20-$25 dollars for a photo. And if you don’t pay up. Their friend will steal your phone and run off with it.
There was a $1 poetry compose and recite guy in the Broadway/Columbus area of San Francisco in 80's. Called himself "The Buffalo." Every time I saw him, I'd gladly sit down, give a a dollar or two, and listen to him. Wasn't a scam as I truly enjoyed the man and he added genuine color and personality to the area.
$1 in 1970 is $8 now. these anecdotes are cute and all but yall need to account for inflation. $1 then and now are not the same thing. theres a reason people barley use coins these days.
@@HellusRaizen Nope, they aren't Hindu monks. They are trying to represent China/Tibet. Indian monks don't talk/dress like that. Plus, Hindus say Namaste, Buddhists don't
I was in Times Square recently with some friends, and I've been to Times Square enough times to know you that those costume characters are terrible and pushy. The one friend with me is from the south so isn't in NYC much, so as we walked by one of the characters she started to take a picture, and in my head I went "oh no, they're going to approach us" and the Spiderman came up to us and was like, "here I'll take your picture." Then after taking the photo asked us for money, specifically 20 bucks. He even showed us a 20 dollar bill that he had saying "this this." I don't think I ended up taking any money out of my pocket, and if I did I only gave them one dollar because that's literally all I had.
I did this several years ago at Venice Beach in California. I pretended to be a tourist and it is true when they think you are a tourist you hear all kinds of crap and the prices go way up. I went into one of the stores they were selling native american cd's for like $30. which is absurd, when i proved i was a native low and behold the price went down...i was told since i lived here they were going to do me a favor.....😅...i didn't buy it, i told them i was going to do them a favor and not waste my time with scammers. Also in the same store they were selling rare and one of a kind Native American jewelry that was made on reservations and the proceeds will go back to the reservations....lol....i informed the clerk that i can go to the mart in downtown L.A and find that same rare and one of a kind jewelry and by it in bulk
I live here in NY and I feel sorry for those being scammed. I especially H. A. T. E. HATE those characters in Times Square who take advantage of the tourists who just want to visit NY and have a good time. I mean, come on... does a picture with a fake character who doesn't even look remotely close to the original worth $5-20? I definitely don't think so!
I remember when that little kid was shot recently in Times Sq. There was a follow up story saying that the kid got to meet Minnie Mouse. At first I was happy because I thought the kid got a trip to Disney World...nope...she just got a picture with the bootleg 42nd St. Minnie Mouse. Not even close to the real thing.
Same in Los Angeles even worse they step in front of you I usually carry a cup and ask for spare change now 😂 and since I know Spanish and Turkish as well i use both languages
Same i was at santa monica with my mom and the “monk” jumped in front of us out of nowhere forced the bracelet on her hand and begged us for $20 she tried handing it back and he got mad lol
In 2018, I was outside the Forum in Ceasar in Las Vegas, heading to the Mirage to see the Beatles Cirque du Soleil show. When a fake monk tried to hand me the bracelet, and I know about the fake monk scam, at first, I said nicest I didn't want it, but he kept trying to hand it to me, so I finally said I dont want it with an angry tone and he finally back off. I feel like like if your are a larger man and these fuckers keep trying you pressure you, then your best bet is to try to start getting aggressive with them or threaten to get law enforcement involved, and they will most likely back off
I never let people hustle me, one guy was pissing me off so I just took his signed CD and just kept walking until he left lmao, it was funny but probably don’t do that, you never know if they are violent.
I'm a Midwestern woman living in Kentucky, and my husband is southern born and raised (Alabama). We are taking a 4 day vacation to NYC just because everyone should go once even though we usually go away from people and not towards them for our vacations lol. So, I wanted to be prepared as much as possible for thieves, scams, and crimes. Thanks!
Went with my entire extended family, group of 7 to NYC in October . Walked all the tourists spots including multiple times at Time Square. We had an awesome time and no one bothered us the entire trip. Maybe we were lucky.
Hi Sarah, You demonstrated the scams very well. However, the costume character scam didn't exactly work with you, the way it normally works. Their targeted customer is parents with little kids. Boogie Bob shows it all the time on his channel. What they normally do is one of the characters comes up to take a picture with the parents/kids. Then all of a sudden 3 or 4 more of them run over and get in the picture. After the picture, each of the characters expects to get paid individually.
@@user-wq9mw2xz3j I’ve just not paid, they didn’t state anything about payment before and I was 17 and broke on a school trip. They started cussing me and my friend out and we literally said “we are children leave us alone”
First time I went to Times Square (at night) I was like 12-13 year's old. Had no idea where I was but first guy who popped up in front of me was telling me he was a rapper and handing out cds. When I asked him, "for free?" He was like "What? No" end of story.
@@NicholasPeters1 Let em make a scene; that's on them not on you. If you choose to reward horrible behavior I certainly don't want to see what type of children you may have raised.
This is hilarious. I think every person who has ever lived in NYC has wondered what it’s like to interact with these people because no New Yorker would actually do it, but we’ve all seen them driving by Times Square. These are the more innocent scams though. I had two friends (one from Italy and one from Canada) visiting a few years ago and I found out the Saturday morning after we went to a club that they tried to go to a strip club after I went home. Apparently, a guy posing as a doorman took their money (like $50 each) and gave them some flyer that said it’s what they needed to get into the club. Needless to say, the club was closed and the guy disappeared by the time they realized what had happened.
My first time in Times Square, I got accosted by the CD guys. They offered me a CD, asked for my name, wrote it on the CD and then got angry when I refused to "donate". Thereafter, I refused to engage with anyone on the street in Manhattan until I felt confident and had my bearings in NYC. This was a great video!
Yup, I feel you. I learned my lesson at 10 y/o. A person handed out flyers on the train and I received it, looked at it, and crumbled it like I always saw my older brother do. Suddenly there was an angry person in front of my face. I was 10 and confused because the person was clearly angry and making sounds. My brother gave her money and she walked away. Turns out the paper had sign language on it and you could keep it in exchange of a donation. So then it all either made sense, or was explained, but the person was mute and I had fucked up big time by not saying 'no thank you' and rejecting them, and definitely by crushing their paper! Since them I don't accept anything, if it's placed on my lap, I don't touch it and just wait for people to come back around for things.
If you visit NYC, always walk quickly and purposefully with your head down. Don't do a lot of looking around and DON'T look up at the buildings. Don't stop for anybody! If someone near you is walking the same speed as you, that's a red flag. If someone approaches you, say "get the f**k away from me" like a real New Yorker! I live about 30 miles north of NYC and I've worked in the city for years. And the predators STILL pick me out. They are everywhere.
I would do the exact opposite of everything you said just because I love life. It’s ok if someone asks me for $10 for a photo. If I don’t want to then I won’t. It’s pretty simple for me but if I don’t want to, I’m still happy and I don’t reject people with hatred or anger. Life is actually really simple and fun if you just slowed down a little to take it all in.
As a native NYer yes that’s usually how we walk but that’s def not how you have to walk. Look, enjoy, walk slow, enjoy the beautiful city and all it has to offer… just be smart and strong enough to walk away and just say “no” when anyone trying to sell you anything approaches.
I'm from the UK, been to N.Y. many times and absolutely love the town. I had the cd guy hustle me for $10 (it was down on Broadway somewhere between Houston and Canal st I think) but I offered him $2 as a gesture of goodwill and he turned me down saying "keep the cd man!" Personally, I think he did that because I was strong and stood up for myself, saying that I can't give him $10 for a cd that I haven't even heard yet. I don't advise visitors to NY to look at the ground and not look up at the tall buildings, thats why you're there, to enjoy what NY has to offer...and you should do just that. Wherever you go, like big cities, you're going to get approached by scammers, but that should not deter you from having a good time and doing the things that touristes do. Just don't be an easy target. If you are approached and you realise you are being "marked" for a scam, go walk into a store, or just plainly say "NO THANK YOU!" These scammers are not looking for a hard time, they are looking for an easy buck and if you don't make it easy for them, they'll find someone within a minute who will. God bless man.
The people asking for money for you taking a photo with them are not scammers. As a tourist, the worst scammers are the Statue of Liberty tour boat scammers. Selling you tickets for way more than you can get at the office or online or even for access to the park. Last time I was in NYC, I helped a family from Spain who was about to get scammed for about $150. They didn't understand what was going on at all.
Years back walking through Central Park with my at the time 6 year old son. Monk gave me a trinket. I thanked him and walked away. The monk ranting and yelling…. I got a free trinket. The monk got a taste of his own medicine lol.
Those monks were the worst of them all. I remember when I was new to NYC I encountered them one time on the highline I tried having a convo and asked more questions about the “temple” they said they were building and the guy refused to answer my questions and was like “a dollar, a dollar, a dollar”
I made my 1st NYC tour in 2021 & go to Las Vegas every year. Rules are the same- Nothing is free; vendors & costume characters are all trying to sell you something. Anything for sale on the street is either cheap, junk or a scam.
In from NYC. Some of these scam are new to me. I stay away from these people no matter where I travel. The naked cowboy was always a business, not a scam. Thanks for exposing them.
This video is an instant classic Sarah!!! The I ❤️ NYC shirt obviously screams tourist instantly with the scammers, so freaking funny and cheers to you for mustering up the courage to shoot this video! I just walked through TS the other day while doing a shoot and the scammers were approaching me as well, even though I didn’t look like a tourist… I think, haha! Job well done on this one, love it!!
I don't really get it about costumed characters. They are asking tips for a photo. I am sure they deserve it for their time and efforts but are they paying copy rights of the characters they are on to the companies such as Disney, Marvel, DC comics..so on.. If they don't, there's some wrong of the beginning.
I had one of these guys scam me in the city a few years ago. I was sitting outside at a cafe having lunch, then this monk puts this gold card down on my table. As I was mesmerized by the shiny gold card, which grants me lifetime peace, this monk slaps a beaded bracelet on me. He then opened his book that had names and amounts. Some said 10,20,30. I was like, here’s a dollar. He protested and said some Chinese gibberish, but at the end of the day I got a nice bracelet and lifetime peace for a dollar. Not a bad deal!
Have you experienced any of these encounters in NYC? Comment below and let me know! PS - I love NY and this video is just for fun! Most of New York is great but there are always some bad apples in the Big Apple 😉 NEW VIDEO: I did Mexico's tourist traps and this is what happened....ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KIh8LDvCDWU.html
I got hit by the CD guy in Seattle. I told them "I don't have any cash" his reply "I got Cash App, Venmo, Apple Pay, whatever you like," and my friend ended up using Cash App for us to escape, then he distributed the charge lol. But CD guy(s) are good at making you feel uncomfortable
In my experience, monks have never/won't outright ask for a donation. In our village in Thailand, they literally walk along the roads to gather food from people who are willing to give them some and if they don't give them any food, then they just don't eat. It's part of their lifestyle to be humble.
If I wanted a picture with "Minnie Mouse".....I'd go to Disney World. I've experienced those character people in Times Square and I didn't say a word to them when they harassed me after jumping into MY photo/demanding a tip, just kept walking lol
My son wanted a pic with the characters and I didn’t have cash. The guy called ALL of them and said lest all take a pic. Let’s do it for the kid. That was very sweet
Yeah they do that some times just for the kids and its sweet but for adults they try their hardest to make some real cash and if you look like a tourist it is the worst.
Yes I believed of you not all of them are scammers . If you say nicely you don’t have cash then they are ok with that. But some tho are really demanding 😥
@@organizedchaos4559 not that easy. They won't accept it back and the worst ones will get in your face requiring money. Just NEVER accept anything that someone hands you randomly in NYC, or in life for that matter. I've seen this scam pulled in 3rd world countries too.
@@pkal244 I did it once, I handed it back to them and he didn’t accept it so I just dropped it and walked away. They won’t chase you or anything especially on crowded times square
@@organizedchaos4559 hahah nice. There was an overly aggressive guy on Prince & Broadway in Soho that was the most aggressive scumbag I've seen pull this BS. He'd harass my then-gf and I just for ignoring him. I'm 99% sure he'd fight you if you did that but he was also a nutbag with not much to lose. I haven't seen him in a while so he probably pissed off the wrong person or got arrested. 👍
I find when I'm in front of somebody that comes off as friendly it's hard for me to tell them no sometimes because I don't want to see them disappointed but I have gotten scammed this way. These people really play on that emotion that we don't want to be rude but have to sometimes.
The only way this thing could have been even more hilarious was if you suddenly started talking back to him in perfect chinese (since he obviously isn't).
@@sarahursic1151 It's obviously an act. It's a popular scam amongst poor Chinese to come here to do this on visitors visas. whatever the case, do not support them. Call them out.
Oh .. he is Chinese ! It was quite wide spread and dated scam in China .. but at some point all the fake monks disappeared. Ppl thought that gov. finally cleaned them up .. but no .. they went international!! :)) Real monks not allowed to ask for donations like this
Thanks for the awesome video. Had an encounter with CD scam in LasVegas, who just handed me CD while walking past. Knowing from your past videos, I immediately dropped the CD next to a trash bin, because holding onto it will lead to having to pay for it. He said really rude stuff to me and my SO, but we just walked forward ignoring him. Gosh I hate them and was angry, but sometimes it's just not worth it. Can't let them low life scammers ruin my vacation.
It's never worth it. They don't deserve anyone's time, they certainly don't deserve a confrontation where they got nothing to lose, and you everything.
Literally just got back from my NYC and I can confirm Naked Cowboy is a cool guy, definitely take a pic with him if you spot him around. Monks and CD guys are annoying as heck.
I love in Upstate NY. I been to the city several times and I don't care to go back. I can't believe after 9/11 and what has happened in Atlanta and other citties they let these costume charectors to continue. It is so easy to hide something inside them. If they have to be there make them heavly regulated.
I’m a New Yorker but every time I head down to Time Square the monks are everywhere. As soon as I see them approaching me I just raise my hand and tell them NO! You just have to tell them all that you’re not interested and you should be fine!
I once met a friar who struck up a random conversation with me in of all places the Islamic art galleries of the Met. We ended up talking for close to an hour, not even about religious stuff, but about life in general. It’s rare to have random people approach you that aren’t trying to take advantage of you in NYC, but it sometimes happens.
Born and raised in NYC 50yrs. Love NYC it keeps changing its like a big book with so many chapters of stories. But tourist must learn no matter where you go, you must be alert turn on common sense especially don't go to areas you shouldn't go. Do your research.
I think the Disney characters are a scam too because after she agreed to $2 she told her friend “run over there cause no more pictures here” as if they are trying to charge for pictures
Thanks for helping expose these dirtbags. The CD guys are nothing short of thugs. The Fake Monks are a close second. I think the key is to ignore all of them, including the costumes characters. Of course, it doesn’t help when you have small children with you.
if they tell u what it costs right away its fine. But if they don't tell u a price and trick u into doing it its perfectly legal to just not pay them and walk off
My friend experienced a scam where a homeless person intentionally tripped in front of him and spilled his plate of food on the floor and proceeded to scold him and to get him to compensate him money for his spilt food. Then after my friend was out of view, he picked the food up and tried it on someone else.
Luckily in my city (Bern, Capital of Switzerland) there's almost zero tourist scam. Sometimes we do also have CD guys but they come from abroad pretend to be in an upcoming band and try to scam locals. The worst thing which can happen when you pretend to be a tourist is that people start to talk to you in english ;)
Haha only because you guys have international banking, the IMF and scams on a whole different level. I recognize that's not your fault and Switzerland is a beautiful country that the US could learn a lot from.
Great video. To me, a scammer is someone who misrepresents, misleads, or pesters or tries to take advantage. Someone offering some sort of service for tips, but without those scammer elements, is good to go in my book.
Walking through TS nearly every day, I get to see the poor visitors to NY in the talons of these conmen first hand. I always like to walk by and say "don't do it!" under my breath, and see how they react. I'd like to feel like I've saved at least a couple people's vacation money this way. :) One of the things that's most troubling is the violence the CD peddlers have become prone to as of late, with opposing groups drawing weapons and of shots being fired into crowds a couple times recently, particularly on the corner of 45th...and now the police stand by watching them like hawks. I hope the added pressure forces some of them to move on.
those with the costumes were very unpleasant, something that would ruin the day for me as a tourist, second are the „monks“ and the CD guy was okey i guess, authentic
Cuando fui sola a New York me preocupe de ir con algunos tours en español donde efectivamente me contaron de estas artimañas, creo que es la mejor manera d e viajar seguro
Thank you for this. I have experienced these encounters and it’s a shame that people do this as a job when there are so many who actually need the money. SCAM, SCAM, SCAM.
