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There have been a couple of reports recently of a scam involving women posing as deaf and MUTE 'donation' collectors. They approach pilgrims on the trail carrying a clipboard with a paper explaining that they are collecting donations to help the deaf and MUTE, which they present themselves to be. The paper lists the names and amounts in euros that others have donated - usually around 25-30 euros.
I have personally passed these women upon arrival into O'Cebreiro and about .5 km after Sarria, away from the town where there are only pilgrims passing. I have heard reports of them being at the top of the stairs in Sarria and at the entrance to Portomarin.
In Portamarin, two of these women were observed talking animatedly to each other when there were no pilgrims around...in other words, they are not deaf and MUTE as they present themselves to be. In addition, there is at least one report of a pilgrim being mugged by one of the women in Portomarin.
It is possible that some of these women are legitimate, but use your judgement when handing over euros to people who are approaching only pilgrims and at odd places on the trail.
Be aware of the "mustard scam" all over the world. A helpful person spots some "mustard" (bird droppings, mud, etc.) on your clothes or pack, and helps you clean it up (since they put it there). Others may pitch in. After the process is complete, the "mustard" is gone. So are your wallet, money, sunglasses, iPhone, and watch.
Teams work together for a thorough cleansing.
The boy who lost his money was very sad. He asked me why someone would do this. I reassured him that most people on the Camino were good and we encouraged him not to show his money in public again to be safe. This group of young Pilgrims and their leader had just started from Sarria that morning and we were just at the first town that begins with a V. I wish I had been thinking more quickly and herded the kids away before this happened. The priest was leading the main group up the hill as this transpired and did not know it was happening until too late.
Yes, the author C.S. Lewis also gave in this way and replied the same to his companion, who protested that the donation would immediately end up 'in the drink.'Much truth in what you said.
Makes me think on an incident a few years ago. I was waiting in line for a bus after work one day. A person came up to the line waiting for the bus and asked for money. I gave this person a dollar, or probably, a half-dollar. This person immediately went into the liquor store few doors down. The ladies behind me in line said "Look, that person took your money and went straight to the liquor store to drink it up." I told them that I didn't mind because the first thing that I was going to do when I get home is pour myself a glass of wine, who am I to judge. We all had a big laugh.
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