Has anyone ever tried to scam you in Berlin?

I was approched by a several women today in Berlin (on the Ku Damm and Unter den Linden) asking for 5 Euro. They asked if I spoke English or Deutsch, and then handed me a note telling me that their mother died, and they need medicine for their sister (or child). They were apperently from Bosnia. I knew it was a scam right away. Has anyone else had this problem? Are there any other Berlin scams I should be aware of?

Yes and in other cities and countries as well, its not just there. They are beggers and con artists and that is how they make their living.

I much prefer the musicians that play near the market centers and you pay them a Euro or something for listening if you choose to. THAT at least is not a scam, what you had happen is and I have seen such things all over the place, also in Sydney Australia!

The saddest I saw was an old woman selling picked flowers from the park for like 10 pfenning at the time before the Euro. She was very dirty but other than that she seemed very kind and just poor so we bought a flower knowing they were just from the park not far away.

So some are scams, some are sad stories, others are struggling. Much like NYC actually!!

Just keep your eye open and you will be ok!

they are forced to do it by an illegal organisation

just say no thank you..

I've seen this on the subway many times there. They tag along their children to beg for money. It is awful and really sad.

it's like geier55 stated. many of them were brought over here by criminals (people traffickers), hoping for a better life, but to pay for the "service", they have to go beg for money and yes, many take their children with them to maybe get a little more money....

@ShlomoNYC: just shut the "beeep" up!

This is clearly a widespread thing then because this happened to me in Ireland (Where I live) last year too.

Yes this is a big problem in Berlin - Berlin is very poor. It depends on paychecks from other states. Poverty can be seen in Berlin everywhere - while the rich people of Berlin (government) drink champagne. That is the reasons why the Berlin People elected a socialist - communist government - this is why there are that many Nazis in Berlin. I would not travel to Berlin; too many Nazis ... and crime is really bad.