A few weeks ago, I wrote a column in response to readers' questions about scams around the world. It triggered so many comments and stories that I promised to do another one. Some scams can be detected relatively easily by the wary traveller. Others are much more devious and can cost you most of your belongings.

A. This one really surprised me because it is brazen and risky for the thieves. However, in some busy airports, the scam does work when the thief has the opportunity to disappear into a crowd. As your carry-on bags and purses are going through the X-ray machine, the individual in front of you deliberately sets off the metal detector with something on their person. The delay keeps you back as he or she is being scanned. In the meantime, as your bags are coming through, an accomplice grabs your bag as though it was his or hers. By the time you get through, your valuables have disappeared into the crowd. The best way to prevent this is to not let your carry-on go through the conveyor belt until the person in front of you has cleared. Otherwise you really need to keep a wary eye on your belongings and be ready to shout loudly if you see someone else grabbing them. I have not seen any reports of this having occurred in Canada, but crime has no borders, so we should always pay extra attention when we are being held up at the security line.