WARNING> THIEF OPERATING IN COLOMBIA

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 1, 2007, 11:32:

Holy cow A THIEF? In COLOMBIA? say it's not soo!

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gorgonabob says on Jan 1, 2007, 11:59:

hes a thief frequenting backpackers hostels just trying to avoid this happening again

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dibbs says on Jan 1, 2007, 12:04:

there's another one there's also a blond Englishman, who roams around Barranquilla and cartagena. what he does is walk to any foreigner or tourist or any foreign looking Colombian, tells them the same sappy story about his documents and wallet being stolen and needs money to go to the British high commissioner in Bogotá, i almost fell for that lie the first time around,luckly my roommate had ran into the same guy couple of months earlier.

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elchantajista says on Jan 1, 2007, 19:43:

en EE UU tambien i WAS driving to California and some old people hit me up for some money at the rest stop, they gave me this real sad story; I gave them some money about $80. I then stayed there for a bit just to watch them and they were telling everyone the same sad story, they must of collected 300 dollars, just that one rest stop; was a great way to pay for a trip; if u are on I 10 going to calif. watch out for a old couple in thier 80's they are slick, gave them my address; they never did send any money lol!
anda de parranda en Bogota
"Vicente"

anda de parranda en Bogota "Vicente"

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gringoloid says on Jan 1, 2007, 20:43:

Are you serious with this...... or are you just kidding around? Humor and sarcasm are sometimes difficult to pass on an email.

Hmmmm, 6' tall phillipino.....that's kind of rare; ....offers chocolates and donuts and a tarot reading with a potbelly and tatoos....hmmmm!

With a moniker like Baldomero, where would he get a heavy american accent? there are a zillion accents here!

i'm just kidding around with this...

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Azul says on Jan 1, 2007, 20:49:

sounds like the guy who stole my lunch money in the 5th grade.

las cosas caen por su propio peso

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Gomezman5 says on Jan 1, 2007, 22:29:

Goodness....Cameras and Cash And to think that all along I was worried about getting kidnapped when it's really my camera and cash they have to worry about. A feel a sense of relief.

On the other hand, the loss of the camera is really serious. If they steal my camera, then I'm out of a phone too.

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goin_south says on Jan 1, 2007, 22:36:

el_chantajista.... I also am in need Have a very sad story, and solo poco dinero. Can you help ?

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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goin_south says on Jan 1, 2007, 22:40:

G5,... You are the first person I have heard of, who has a 'phone in the camera', rather than a 'camera in the phone'.
Where do you get those? ;0 Maybe if you have one of each, the potential thug will be awe-struck, not know which one to take, CAUSING HIM TO MOVE SLOWER THAN A SLOTH, and you can kick his butt.

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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elchantajista says on Jan 1, 2007, 22:44:

lol !!!!!!! oye galecitoso u can try but u will have to come up with something really good to top those two elderly scammers , i'm a lot wiser now lol!
anda de parranda en Bogota
"Vicente"

anda de parranda en Bogota "Vicente"

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Gomezman5 says on Jan 1, 2007, 22:57:

Honestly If I lost my phone right now, I think I would miss my camera more than the phone. This little thing takes some kick ass pics. Don't think so? Check out the pic of Maxie my parrot. (in my profile) Nobody thinks that this photo was taken with my camera.

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ldsjuancho says on Jan 1, 2007, 23:42:

hah Ive been reading in this site for about 2 years.. and Ive finally decided to post something I dont know why Ichose this one but all this sarcasm on this post is hilarioussss...........Thief In colombiaaaaa say it aint so.. sounds like the guy who took my lunch money in 5th grade.. but anyways thanks to whoever posted it because hey if it prevents at least one person from getting conned by this guy ... its enough

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goin_south says on Jan 2, 2007, 00:51:

Idsjuancho... don't you think the 'thief' sounds like maybe someone out of a movie, like maybe 'Joe Vs. The Volcano' ?

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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goin_south says on Jan 2, 2007, 00:55:

G5, I do not know why you worry so much! Let me give ya a tip:
IF you get kidnapped,... just keep talking;
...after about an hour, they'll let ya go... lol

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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Atrevido says on Jan 2, 2007, 04:20:

Donuts? Good one but late. The Dia De Los Inocentes was about a week ago. Donuts even!

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gorgonabob says on Jan 2, 2007, 05:56:

i own a hostel he STEALS MONEY from guests. he will steal your credit card while you are sleeping.

Im so sorry if i caused trouble for posting this useless information. better just leave the poor crook alone..

my apoligies to everyone

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Atrevido says on Jan 2, 2007, 06:31:

What hostel do you own?
What hostel do you own?

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 2, 2007, 10:07:

Gorgonabob I just want to clarify that I think your info is probably useful but I also find it hilarious that supposedly savvy "travellers" in one of the more dangerous places on the map are easily gulled by a guy buying them donuts. It's, frankly, one of the big dangers of the bunker mentality that foreigners get in dangerous foreign countries. They see devious motives behind every taxi driver's glance in the mirror but then totally let down their guard with some other gringo they just met in the hostel.

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gringoloid says on Jan 2, 2007, 10:52:

bob...... this is not useless info....if i find this guy, I'm going to tie him up and turn him into a woman if he doesn't tell me where he stashed or fenced the cameras, ...so I can give them back to the rightful owners.

you're providing a great service here.....

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juancegomez says on Jan 2, 2007, 12:50:

If this is actually true... Then it's definitely an useful piece of information for hostel visitors, travellers and possibly others, like DG has mentioned.

If not, if it is a joke, then it won't make much of a difference either.

Not going to lose any sleep over it, in any case.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jan 2, 2007, 13:15:

Take away the dark skin and tatoos and the original poster has described the physical attributes and favorite foods of Homer Simpson.

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goin_south says on Jan 2, 2007, 22:09:

Read it again: He is PHILIPINO,
dark brown skin,
nearly six foot tall.
arms covered with tatoos.
a big pot belly.
Speaks with a very American accent
He reads tarrot cards
Is overly nice. (what????)

If you aren't already on alert... you shouldn't be traveling like this.

And, to 'top it off':
buys donuts
gives chocolates!

Come on guys; WTF are you living?? lol
This is no ordinary man;
THIS IS ...BALDOMERO JORIC!!!
Jejejeee

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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goin_south says on Jan 2, 2007, 22:11:

for sure! Thanks, Gorgonabob... but I am only pointing out to others, the obviously ridiculous.
I would be on internal alert upon first sighting of this guy.

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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goin_south says on Jan 2, 2007, 22:12:

jeje.ee.. Tinto. I can see an entire 5-year remake: 'THE SIMPSON'S IN COLOMBIA!'

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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adrimm says on Jan 2, 2007, 23:49:

Good warning I agree with DG. It is definitely in the best interests of backpackers and hostel staff to get the word out on these idiots & scam artists. Its a shame that there are people out there who prey on fellow travellers.. and it makes the hostelling experience that much less enjoyable.

For those of you who don't frequent hostels, many (most) of them often have a pretty laid back vibe. Alot of people end up spending alot of time just hanging out swapping stories, advice, meeting new people, making fun of each other's accents and learning new phrases here and there.

In the old days a pack full of worn old clothes wasn't so appealing but more often now people take the tech with them...(of course many love to document in detail, download their photos and blog from road). To their credit hostel owners are usually very upfront about taking care of one's stuff and expect people keep their wits about their stuff (imho taking tech stuff is definitely another level of personal stress) but **even so** it truly sucks to have to be worried in a place where you don't want to be worried... especially if there is a known thief or scammer in the community.

Laid back vibe aside, you never know who is going to wind up stealing from you: I met a guy when I was in Bogota (he was wrapping up a 2 yr round-the-world) who had his notebook stolen in Argentina by another traveller who he'd hung out with for a few days. Thankfully he'd been uploading alot of his stuff to the web so he didn't loose the entire 18+ months worth of writing and photos.

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bufalo says on Jan 3, 2007, 05:44:

I tend to keep the tech stuff home too. We're supposed to go on a bus trip to San Augustín next week and I thought I'd get some footage. But I'd have to keep an eye on my camera for 4 days, not exactly relaxing. I'll take some snapshots and if there's anything worthwile to film I'll go back purposely for that.
I don't get it when travellers come here with walkmans, ipods and the like, take in the surroundings, that's what they supposedly come for.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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gringoloid says on Jan 3, 2007, 10:09:

I think what we should do is form a POSSE... and hunt this guy down. There are certainly enough enraged posters here!

He shouldn't be too hard to track; we know his M.O., with the donuts; we have a good description; I mean how many 6' phillipinos are there in Colombia with a heavy american accent?......


We could turn it into a reality show like, "Dog the Bounty Hunter."

Not only the reward money for the stolen camera phones, but our show might get picked up on Bogota Television. "Poor But Happy Bounty Hunters", "Colombia Vice", or maybe a clint eastwood kind of take....."Dirty Gringoloid"

What do you say??

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toneloc24 says on Jan 3, 2007, 10:21:

Home Depot warning as well A little levity to break up the seriousness.


This is a "heads up" for those of you who may be regular Home
Depot customers. Over the last month I became a victim of a clever
scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies
turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it
couldn't happen to you.

Here's how the scam works:

Two seriously good-looking 20-21 year-old girls come over to your car
as you are transferring your packages into your trunk. They both
start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their
breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible
not to look. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say "No"
and instead ask you for a ride to another Home Depot. You agree and they get in the back seat. On the way, they start having sex with each other. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and performs oral sex on you, while the other one steals your wallet.

I had my wallet stolen November 24th, 27th, and twice on the 30th.
Also December 5th, 10th, twice on the 12th, three times just yesterday and very likely again this afternoon.

Don't let this happen to you.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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Gomezman5 says on Jan 3, 2007, 10:40:

Toneloc..... You are kidding aren't ya?

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Azul says on Jan 3, 2007, 10:46:

He's got to be kidding.... because it sounds like it is worth loosing your wallet :-)

las cosas caen por su propio peso

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toneloc24 says on Jan 3, 2007, 11:04:

G5 You act like it would be a bad thing if I weren't. LOL!!!

Read the 1st line of the post. It's just a joke sent to me from a buddy. Passing it along to the board to share the humor in it. This scam just seems more hilarious than the OP's.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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Gomezman5 says on Jan 3, 2007, 11:44:

No.....it sounds OK to me Toneloc The more the merrier. Can't get enough of a good think ya know.

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David Pristupa says on Jan 3, 2007, 16:53:

Panhandler leaves 'work' in a Limo There was/is this woman that begs in Toronto who lives in a city
20 miles west. She apparently walks around and looks so destitute that she manages to bilk out enough suckers to pay for a Limo back
home. She owns an exclusive bungalow in a ritzy part of town. Hows that for apples :)

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goin_south says on Jan 3, 2007, 17:13:

DirtyGringoloid...I think Baldomero would be more appropriately Placed, along side "Gene, Gene, the Dancing Machine", and the 'Unknown Comic' ... in the Gong Show!

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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goin_south says on Jan 3, 2007, 17:34:

I ordered 10 Thousand Extra wallets about two weeks ago... ...knowing there would be a run on 'em soon ;)

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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goin_south says on Jan 3, 2007, 18:30:

Toneloc.....You ar-ar-areee kidding, ar-ar-aren't ya? How many wallets would you like, Gomezman?
They'er a lil less expensive than flyin to bogota to whiskeria

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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Atrevido says on Jan 3, 2007, 18:58:

Wow I can´t believe it! What happened to you toneloc, the same thing happened to me on a night bus on my way to Medellin just last week.

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