Just a note to remind others to be careful of your belongings while taking the metro to Maracana. There is a professional ring pick pocket ring operating at the metro station. Our world cup tickets got stolen. Luckily that was all they took. We prioritised the security of more important documents like passport, money n camera and those werw not lost. We made a police report at the stadium. There are about 20 people who went through the same ordeal. So that's why I think there is a professional work targeting world cup tickets. Definitely scalpers. It was our one and only world cup match and the closest we get to Maracana was the ticket gates. :( I suggest security should patrol the metro as well and not just outside the station.
1
almondy23
Always wandered how many foreign guests would get pickpocketed, robbed or even assaulted during the World Cup. Im sorry to hear about your experience, really thats terrible and thanks for sharing, its a timely reminder for everyone there to remember that despite the World Cup going on, it is still Brazil and has one of highest crime rates in the world.
I myself got pick pocketed once in Brazil and had my room broken into on another occasion, and met scores of other travelers who'd been pick pocketed, robbed, assaulted, fleeced or scammed on the way. Theres no reason that these things wont continue to happen, probably even increase with all the extra visitors there. Yes there is security around, but they cant be everywhere, certainly not on every carriage in the metro.
Guess all world fans might want to keep their tickets in a zippered pocket, of better in a security pouch inside your clothing.
2
scouser1953
Its not scalpers who pickpocketed you , there are professional scalpers here from the UK, and europe , the USA , they are not petty thieves they are ticket sellers ,
I was on the metro with my friend last sunday and a after stopping at one station all of a sudden there was a couple of guys pushing their way onto the train and we both said to each other , "here are the dippers" (as they are known) and sure enough these two guys targeted one guy who we we think knew what they were up to and guarded his pocket,
My advice to all travellers is wear a money belt under your clothing !
3
hazzdawg
That's pretty awful sorry to hear of your experience.
I dare say they were scalpers, in a sense that they would have tried to sell the tickets outside the stadium before the game.
Of course not to be confused with the big time professional scalpers from (many from western countries) who purchase as many tickets online as possible and sell them off at hugely inflated prices once the game has sold out. Those people are the bigger thieves IMO.
4
almondy23
Its not scalpers who pickpocketed you , there are professional scalpers here from the UK, and europe , the USA , they are not petty thieves they are ticket sellers >
I really doubt these were the pickpockets! Maybe its organised enough that they are paying local pickpockets to do the work for them, but otherwise these things regularly happen in Brazil! Visitors just need to be careful.
5
anonymous
Actually, it's still a relatively uncommon occurrence. In years of going to the football and using the metro and the train, I have never once been pickpocketed or robbed.
It probably is more likely at present due to the cost WC tickets can command but if people are sensible about their belongings, it shouldn't be a problem and people need not resort to money belts etc.
@the OP sorry to hear about your loss.
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