What happened with the finger in a bottle… scam or something else?

General Discussions Forum
1

Hey everyone,

Today in Munich at the Alter Botanischer Garten, my family and I were approached by a young woman, probably from India. She asked us if we spoke English, and when we said yes, she showed us her finger stuck in a beer bottle and asked for help. I offered to help get her finger out, but then she suddenly pulled it out herself and started thanking us repeatedly, even though we didn’t actually do anything.

Does this sound like some kind of scam? Has anyone else experienced something like this?

Thanks for your thoughts!

2

If you’re posting here, be aware that scammers might send you private messages offering help, often pretending to be recovery experts or hackers. Never trust private messages for advice—always rely on public comments where others can see and verify the information. Stay safe out there!

3

Could someone have been trying to pickpocket you while you were distracted with the bottle thing?

4

Rodgers said:
Could someone have been trying to pickpocket you while you were distracted with the bottle thing?

I don’t think so. There was a guy who looked like he was with her, but he stayed about 10 meters away. We had all our stuff in backpacks, so I think they realized there wasn’t an easy target.

5

@Sophia_2
Yeah, sounds like they were testing you. Funny how her problem magically solved itself as soon as you got involved.

6

SophyGenesis said:
@Sophia_2
Yeah, sounds like they were testing you. Funny how her problem magically solved itself as soon as you got involved.

Exactly. The whole thing felt off. Like, why would anyone even get their finger stuck in a bottle, let alone ask strangers for help instead of trying to get it out themselves?

7

@Sophia_2
Looks like you avoided being scammed. They probably hoped you’d be distracted.

8

YukiJane said:
@Sophia_2
Looks like you avoided being scammed. They probably hoped you’d be distracted.

Be careful anyway. Sometimes you only realize later that something was taken—these people are sneaky.

9

This definitely sounds like a distraction scam where they were trying to pickpocket you. Good thing your stuff was in backpacks!

10

Roger said:
This definitely sounds like a distraction scam where they were trying to pickpocket you. Good thing your stuff was in backpacks!

Or maybe she was just high, crazy, or filming one of those dumb prank videos.

11

The Alter Botanischer Garten is notorious for sketchy stuff. Avoid it unless you’re okay with shady people or worse.

12

Gia said:
The Alter Botanischer Garten is notorious for sketchy stuff. Avoid it unless you’re okay with shady people or worse.

Yeah, it’s a hotspot for all kinds of trouble.

13

Gia said:
The Alter Botanischer Garten is notorious for sketchy stuff. Avoid it unless you’re okay with shady people or worse.

I once went there, and within 5 minutes, someone tried to sell me ‘gold’ jewelry. Totally a scam.

14

@Brian
I think the ‘gold’ jewelry thing is another common scam. It’s just amazing how brazen these people are.

15

Every time I visit Germany, I get approached like this—usually at train stations. It’s always someone asking for help with some weird problem in English. I’ve started just ignoring them completely.

16

Daisy said:
Every time I visit Germany, I get approached like this—usually at train stations. It’s always someone asking for help with some weird problem in English. I’ve started just ignoring them completely.

It really does seem common! Makes you wonder how many tourists fall for these tricks.

17

@Sophia_2
Probably a lot. They must target anyone who looks out of place or unfamiliar with the area.

18

Daisy said:
@Sophia_2
Probably a lot. They must target anyone who looks out of place or unfamiliar with the area.

That’s what’s strange—we’re from Czechia, so we don’t stand out much, and we didn’t even have luggage.

19

@Sophia_2
Maybe they just take a shot at anyone who looks approachable.

20

Was this some kind of elaborate prank? It’s so random.