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Some on the ground info on the dead 4x4 girl. Actually it appears she was killed by trafficantes, reason unknown. I was talking with a friend of hers, I asked about a girl being murdered(shot in the head in the back of a taxi she confirmed), she said it was her friend of one year. I asked who, a boyfriend, she smiled and said'talvez'(maybe). I said a 'cliente'(punter), again she smiled and said 'talvez'. To me the MO of the hit was an assasination, not a love crime, I therefore asked 'talvez a trafficantes', no smiling this time, her face changed to a frown, no answer and she immediately changed the subject.
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Funny, but I have know one of the Rio girls for 3 years and I finally went to her home in Barra de Tijuca. There in an outdoor bar, I felt the most unsafe in Rio as I ever have. No gringos, no tourists, middle class neighborhood, a lot of young guys, not so many girls, and not so many girls that looked like my friend (hot). I got many unapproving stares and was about two minutes away from being challenged by a group of 5-6 drunk guys. My kung-fu may be good, but not that good. So we left. At least in Copa, I know where I am, I know what to expect and I know there are police. 8 times in 3 years and I have nevere had a problem, the only time I felt threatened was in Barra of all places.
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Look, I went to Rio many times and never had a problem. I thought it was safe as well. Then I found myself looking down the barrel of a cocked revolver.
Was I drunk late at night on Atlantico. No, it was 10:00PM on a street full of people on Siqueira Campos. I was walking back from the supermarket.
Here is a headline
Criminals Practice Free Will In Copacabana.
Here is a link to the article
http://www.expats.com.br/noticias.php?cod=2854
And to tell the truth I am 100 times more afraid of the police then the criminals. They would think of nothing of planting some drugs on you and shaking you down for all it's worth. Hell the UN is investigating Brazil for police murders of civilians. Am I making that up? Here is the link to that article.
http://www.expats.com.br/noticias.php?cod=2852
Finally I have a Brazilian girl who works in my office whose own mother does not want her to return to Rio for a visit. The reason. It isn't safe. And that is for a person who blends in. How much of a target do you think we Americans make?
Ok, now will come the replys from those that make their money off of the tourist trade and who troll this board for easy marks. Rio is not so bad they will say. Others will say it is no different then NY. I live in NY and I can tell you armed gangs have not shot up the highway from JFK airport to Manhattan. In Rio though armed gangs have on several occasions shot up the highway from the international airport to town. Yes in Rio you might not even make it to your hotel. If you decide to go. Have a safe trip.
Yada Yada Yada.
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Having been back from Rio for five days I got a call today from my credit card company, informing me that charges were still being made on my card in Rio, even though I have the card. Apparently there is a racket whereby they use a pager-like device to copy the metallic strip on the card and use it to make a new card.
I am not being held responsible for the charges, but the bank told me that this is very common in Brazil. They copy it when they take your card in a bar or restaraunt to make a charge. The only prevention is to not let the card out of your sight.
Beware.
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I saw a news report here in the States about that machine that copies your credit card info by scanning the card itself. I think you can buy these on the Internet, in which case, they are probably in the hands of criminals of everywhere.
Moreyada, good points. Having been the victim of an armed robbery myself (see report elsewhere), I don't buy at all this silliness that Rio is no more dangerous than any other large city.
That said, I still plan to go back. You just can't beat the women!
HG
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Credit Card Issues.
Friends. Just keeping an eye on your credit card is NOT enough. At issue is your receipt. Check your credit card receipts. Here in good ol' USA, only four digits of your card numbers are printed on the receipts. In Brasil, all 16 digits are printed, some even print your card expiration date. Make sure your wipe out the numbers before returning the receipts to the merchants.
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Friends. The "metalic stripe" has nothing high tech about it. It is just the 16 digit card numbers embedded in that stripe. Nothing more. Note that the merchants even have to manually punch in your card expiration date when you use it. So, if I have your 16 digit card numbers on paper plus your card expiration date, i don't need your card at all and still good to go. Despite what they said, credit card is still very much a low tech business.
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JoshJosh69, its funny but I've had similar type experinences to you in Barra. While in Rio, the only times I've been close to a fight has been with some middle class spoilt brat. Seems they consider a gringo a threat to their social standing. On the odd occasions I've been down to Barra, I've noticed a few nasty stares and the odd 'gringo' comment, by contrast I've been in favelas many times and only been meet with smiles!
What I also found funny was that many of these guys down in Barra seem to model their wardrobe on one of those 'Revenge of the Nerds' type films!
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Two interesting articles for those considering going to Rio. GE is pulling out of Rio due to the violence and danger there. I know people here like to say Rio is no more dangerous then US or Cities in Europe. For those that say so, can you name one such city GE has pulled out of?
http://www.expats.com.br/noticias.php?cod=2928
And here is an article about ' weekend during which rampaging gangs of teens terrified bathers and there were several robberies on the city's most popular beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon'
http://www.expats.com.br/noticias.php?cod=2926
If you do go be careful.... very careful
Yada Yada Yada
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Things are not exactly better in Sao Paulo:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/americas/11/03/brazil.police.reut/index.html
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DocBill, did you stay at the Arpoador Inn in Rio, Because I think they have some Thieves working at that Hotel, and I am Talking about the managers at the front desk.
They steal your Credit Card Number after you use it to pay for your Hotel Stay, and wait a while and start to use it in Sao Paulo and other Cities!!
T-rex..
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My first time in Rio was in 1980 and there was beach crime then too and there always has been. One time I was on Ipanema and someone was shooting a gun off and everybody got off the beach and ran. I ran all the way to Copacabana and when I got to my hotel my friend noticed blood rolling down my arm. Luckily it wasn't my blood but it did get me worried for a minute.
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T-Rex,
No, I didn't stay at that hotel but I guess it's common practice. All of my fraudulent charges began appearing after I left. The charges were all in Rio and were for things like gas, shoes, etc.
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Hi brothers,
I went with a garota do Sol y Mar Restaurant - actually a very posh place between Rio Vermelho and Flamego. My credit-card was copied there while I paid with it. They swindeled the credit-card company out of 1000 $. In the end we all have to pay for this with our credit-card fees. Beware!
Carlos Primeros
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I was in the Rio for the 1st time recently. I never feel any danger around me. I don’t speak Spanish or Portuguese. I felt very comfortable to take bus or Metro, even as late as 11PM.
I don’t concern about someone using my credit card. I am protected by my credit agreement on unauthorized transactions. That’s what I pay hundreds dollars annul fee on my AMEX Platinum card for.