Ripped Off in Milan

I want other travelers to know that there is apparently a band of thieves at the Milan airport.

It happened to me Oct. 16. As I got out of my taxi at the airport, I bent down to reorganize my luggage. It was 6 a.m., dark and deserted. As I was stooping down, a man appeared on my left, exclaiming: “Your back! Your back!” I turned around to find my back soaked with mustard. When I went to the counter to check in, I was horrified to find my shoulder bag containing my passport, credit cards, etc., was gone.

Dealing with the Italian airport police was a nightmare. They would not let me use a phone to dial out to cancel my credit cards. They instead ushered me to a pay phone, but I had no money thanks to the thieves. I was fortunate that I still had my airline tickets with me, and a copy of my passport. I was finally aided by an English-speaking British Airways agent, who informed me that this had happened the weekend before too.

I had arranged my cab through my hotel. When the police questioned me regarding the color of my taxi, I discovered that I was not in a real cab. I believe strongly now that the cab and possibly the hotel were involved with the scam.

TANNY KLASNA

Newport Beach