Nice one Deano!

Is the third photo him disguised as a female?

O

It was funny watching them (well not funny... but you know) as they would walk together along the street, then see a target and sort of split up and come back together again... very well rehearsed... Probably a Father Daughter team... What a role model eh!!

Nice to see families spending quality time together. 

O

I miss the cup and ball game scam at the Lake in the summer.  I saw this tourist drop 300 CHF and a scrap almost broke out.  Dude clearly did not know 3 of his fellow "players" were in on it, plus the lookout and the game a few meters over.  He backed down...

Jogging isn't nearly as much fun as it used to be without my sideshow.

About two weeks ago on Pont des Bergues all of a sudden some guy approached me holding a ring which he presumably picked up from the ground right next to me. He was showing me the ring and was asking something but I kept walking (well, the ring wasn't mine, I had no idea where it came from so what to talk about ?). That time I didn't even think it was a scam but now that I've found this thread I know it for sure :) Btw it wasn't the same guy (they probably work shifts or something).

A friend of mine caught someone outside his house about 11pm saying the same ring story, but was obviously casing the house - so its not only on the street - this gold ring must be worth a bob or too is all I can say!

Thanks for alerting us. Did you forward the pictures to the police, so they are informed?

Cheers,

L

if you send pics to the police, they probably will hold you for illegal privacy photos and ask the "ringleader" ( very bad pun) if he wants to press charges against you :-)

I understand the privacy implications and that people are presumed innocent until a judge says otherwise, but my understanding is that pictures belong to the photographer, also when taken in public*. Sending them to the police should be no problem, whereas making a 'Wanted'-poster probably would not.

This is just my understanding and I'm not a Swiss lawyer, so maybe someone, who is can confirm or refute?

*The reasonable of this is another discussion in itself. Especially in this Google-age.

Beware of the the Zidane trick

Around gare Cornavin and Montblanc street, but also on the other side of the lake, there is a guy approchaing you, jumping in place beside you, saying "Zidane, Zidane, Zidane", then making you slighly bend backward with on of his legs. Then his accomplice comes and picks you wallet from the back and they both run away. It's done so efficiently that you don't feel anything. Since that moment, I don't put my cards in my wallet, and I only have a little money in one of my front pockets. It is easier to see if somebody tries to steal you that way.

I made a report to the police (at the Cornavin train station), even if I did not have an insurance that covered that kind of illegal activity. I tried to make a description of the Zidane man. At least, I could have a new legitimation card without problem having a copy of the police report. Some colleagues told me that it was a classic. Also beware if a stranger seems drunk late at night, overly happy, and tries to shake hand in the middle of the street, especially if he also tries to slap you gently on the shoulder...

If you take a picture of a tourist attraction and a person happens to walk into the frame there is no data privacy issue.  If, however, you take a picture of a person then there is a data privacy issue...

Thanks, Tasmin67,

Is it the intended use of the picture that matters, or its existence?

From your reply, I infer the latter.

I interpret this as one is not allowed to photograph specific people, even if strangers, in public spaces under any circumstances.

Can you confirm this interpretation?

The publishing of the photos under the context of criminals would be defermation of character (due to innocent before proven guilty)...However! considering the brazen nature of this couples activities I dont think they would press charges as they dont want to be anywhere near police, courts, possibly immigration?!?

I think you could treat them to an a*s whooping and they wouldn't press charges. They may even be known to police or have some history there.

I expect the comments regarding illegal privacy photos were slightly tongue in cheek due to similar incidents of victims and innocent people ending up under arrest for trying to do the right thing.

On another serious note someone I know was robbed outside cornavin station sat night. They used the tactic of asking for a cigarette (in french of course), british victim said sorry I dont speak French. They started cheering, grabbing and hugging him for being English (in a friendly banter way) whilst taking the wallet. They returned 5-10 mins later with the wallet minus the money but with the cards in the wallet saying "you dropped this". My thoughts are...they noted down the numbers of the cards and returned them in the hope the victim doesn't cancel the cards.

Be alert!

There is another scam that takes place in Geneva.  A young woman shows you a petition asking you to sign for "the rights of homeless people".  After you sign, she asks you for a donation of 20 CHF or more.  My guess is that she asks for a signature because it's much more difficult to refuse to donate after you've already signed and she somehow gained your trust.  If you look reluctant she shows you a badly photocopied piece of paper that is supposed to prove she's legitimate.

Don't fall for this scam!  Don't give money to people in the street, instead find information about the charity and transfer the money directly in its bank or postal account.

yes the zidane trick has benn tried on me several times too. once in front of shakers club and once in the jardin anglais / english garden at the lake . both times it was the same guy i think - i just kept walking and kept my hands in the pockets - but this dude seriously was dancing and jumping around me for around at least a minute - watch out !

Re: Photos of people in public.

I don't know Swiss law all that much, but for most of the Western world it's more or less the same. You can video tape or take pictures of anyone in public. As long as there is no expectation of privacy (ie, change room, washroom, their own apartment through a window).

You can then publish those photos anywhere, in any way - as long as it's not commercial (ie. a newspaper or blog is fair game, using someone in an ad for COOP is not allowed without a model release).

You do not need to ask permission, you do not need a release. I am still amazed at how many people think that a photographer needs permission to take their picture in public. Now the police could always determine your photo taking as "harassment" if they please. But that's a whole other matter (only photojournalists and paparazzi usually need to worry about that).

One note though.  If you are going to take someone's photo and publish it online or in print and then call them a "criminal" and you have no proof, then that could be libel or slander.  Again, I'm not a laywer, nor do I know Swiss law.  But where I'm from you could potentially get sued.

(I was a videojournalist for 10 years in Canada, I now work as an independent video producer and photographer)

Deano:

I don't get the ring thing. So he shows you a ring, and then what? How does he get at your money? Or is it that he shows you the ring, and while you're all focused on that, his friend pick pockets you from behind?

Nir

well one variation is based on hope that the person being shown the ring will be greedy and think 'oh good i get a free gold ring'.  so they take it and give the 'finder' some money for being 'honest' and returning it.  later they find out the ring is worthless. 

it may be the One Ring :) once you take it you'll have to destroy it in Orodruin :) huge responsibility :)

OK guys, could we pls re-focus more on understanding how these scams work so we can avopid them, and less on if publishing the scammer's pic is hurting his feelings of privacy?

I think it's more to protect the photographer, but it may be fit for its own thread.

Haha it would seem Frodo gave up trying to destroy the ring, and has come to Geneva with a female friend and is trying to pass it onto unsuspecting victims...I'm disappointed in him quite frankly! He looks different somehow too...strange!