Ever been ripped off/scammed in Vegas?

After reading Dancer's column today it got me wondering about scams and rip offs in Vegas. You hear about them all of the time. We are constantly warned to be diligent of our personal safety.

I personally have never fallen victim myself but there have been a couple of instances when I wondered if I was being set up.
I have felt the tail of my dinner jacket lifted in a crowd. (nothing in my back pockets to take.)
I have been approached by young, drunk women wanting a "hug". (if they are young enough to be my daughter, or grand-daughter, I'm not interested.)
I always keep my hand on my chips at the craps table.

So how 'bout ya'll? Anyone ever been ripped off? Had your watch stuck someplace?

Walking down the Strip in front of PH, some well dressed young men asked me if I wanted special tickets to see a magic show. They said the show was normally $55 but they could sell me the tickets for $5. It seemed mighty suspicious and I noticed everyone they asked said "no". What the hell, I said "yes". It turned out to be legit. The magic show was pretty good and we got pictures with the magician. The magician's name escapes me. He was in the theater in Miracle Mile in the back.

Just last week the wife and I went grocery shopping. When we returned to our car there was a car parked next to us with a big red gas can on their roof and a young couple milling about. As my wife was getting in the car, the woman asked my wife for a dollar. She said she ran out of gas. What the hell, my wife gave her a dollar but but then we started to think it was a scam. Who runs out of gas in the middle of a parking lot. Who carries around a big gas can. They were even parked right next to the cart return corral.

One of the smartest people at my work, MD, PHD almost got caught up in one of those scams where an acquaintance calls asking for money via Western Union as they're too embarrassed to call their family. She was ready to wire $1000 until a coworker said it sounded fishy.

I had a relentless hooker at the bar at Luxor. I told her I wasn't interested. She then said "At least do me the favor and let me use your restroom in your room instead of the disgusting bathrooms they have down here." I of course said no to her and she said "fuck you" and walked away. I'm guessing she wouldn't have just used the bathroom.

Yes. I bought one Margarita last weekend at the Caesar's Palace pool for $24 plus tip.

I mind my drinking in Vegas. I definitely imbibe...but never beyond the point of losing my judgement. I think many of the con-artists and thieves target drunk tourists (especially men). Staying sober is a massive deterrent IMO.

Playing Video Poker once I had a very lucky session.
The machine was making a lot of noise and racking up the dollars (in the hundreds).
Next thing I know, there is a guy asking me if I wanted to buy a "gold" chain.

I Don't Think So

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Another time a guy stopped a friend of mine and asked him if he wanted to buy a "? Rolex ?" watch.
My friend raised his arm, showing him his Rolex and said, .............. "Already Got One".


Rick

My wife dragged me to the worlds largest souvenir shop on the corner of LV blvd and Sahara for the millionth time (years ago), we parked right in front of the shop, as we got out of the car a guy came us to us very fast mind you, and said he was from out of state and his starter went in his van. He had a beat up van full of kids and a wife there for proof.
He spoke so fast I couldn't get a word in edgewise. He gave us a very long, VERY convincing soap opera story. I say again--- convincing. Being from the back woods of New Hampshire you rarely see hustlers never mind a good one and I was damned near caving until I told him I would buy a starter and help him put it in and he started fast talking again with a shocked look on his face.
Once I figured out it was a scam, I went to my old standard and said "I have no cash, I only have a credit card" that usually finishes off hustlers looking for a quick $20 (it did)

weggie

This LVA writer makes all that sex stuff up, and is it any wonder his ex threw him out? Isn't this the same guy that steals breakfast at dive motels?

I see no credibility in his story other than he was getting off when making it up. He could have just discussed the potentials of getting ripped off in the MANY different ways in casinos. We don't need a dirty old man's wet dream report to understand that.

That's great. That's even better than I'll buy you a sandwich.

Oh Rob oh Rob, went right through thin ice here AGAIN. It's the same old story. Targeting Dancer with the same stuff you do over at MoneyLa's forum. Anybody who has followed you during the last two years know's exactly who Albeadle is. Caught again, with your hand in the cookie jar. FOOL