Fake Nuns Scamming in Greece

Greek media reports that fake nuns have become a serious issue across Greece.

They are most commonly found near hospitals, churches, and tourist attractions. You can also spot them in popular resorts, on beaches in Halkidiki, in the Thessaloniki and Olympus regions, around Aristotelous Square in Thessaloniki, and near the White Tower.

Although they initially appear to be real nuns, many people have fallen victim to their scams. The police claim that these women are Romani.

Dressed in robes and carrying crosses, they sell naive tourists rosaries, icons, and other religious items, claiming they were "blessed" in a monastery. Although they look like nuns at first glance, their clothing is often unusual, which can be easily noticed if you pay attention.

They usually work in pairs. While one tries to sell a rosary, the other takes the opportunity to pickpocket you. They are persistent and pushy, and they may become rude if you refuse. Sometimes, they walk along the beach, shoving rosaries or crosses into people's hands, telling them they are free, but soon after aggressively asking for a "donation for the monastery."

Although the police occasionally locate and arrest them, these "business nuns" appear in new locations. Real nuns, however, rarely leave monasteries and never sell blessed items outside these holy places, especially not on beaches or in such an aggressive manner. Be cautious and don't buy anything from them! In the following videos, you can see how they look and behave, which will help you recognize them more easily.