I have just joined this site because I saw similar tales on it and wanted to share my experience.

I am American, 42, male, white. I am not a “hippie” nor do I look like a rough person or someone involved in criminal activity( or at least I like to think not) I moved to Barcelona 4 months ago and speak very primitive Spanish but am learning.

Friday Dec 12, 2008 I was walking home at about 2A.M.
I had had a few beers with a friend but was not drunk or unruly. As I walked down fairly busy street I saw 2 police officers in uniform in front of me on the street but thought nothing of it since, there seem to be a lot of them out at all hours.

As I approached them they crossed the street and came towards me. They stopped me and began to speak, very quickly , in Spanish, or Catalan. I said I did not understand and asked if they spoke English (in Spanish).

At this point one of them raised a can of pepper spray/mace to my face and sprayed me.

All I can say is it was a shock. It was as if everything disappeared , all thought, all understanding of where I was, any thought of what was happening was obliterated. It was like suddenly finding yourself falling in empty black space with no idea of how you got there, and really, not even wondering, you are just there. Shock.

The next thing I remember was an male English voice asking if I was alright and a hand on my shoulder. This brought me back around and slowly I began to be able to see and realize where I was. Soon after, I realized my wallet was gone.

I never carry anything of value in Barcelona as I and many friends have been robbed. So, they got about 10 euros and a couple business cards (not mine thankfully). I keep copies only of my ID but these were in my jacket pocket. I strongly advise people do not carry valuables, especially at night.

I now have what feels like a bad sunburn and some skin is peeling. Otherwise I am fine.

Some have suggested that perhaps they were not real police. They looked like they were to me. I have a feeling had I spoke fluent Spanish they would have left me alone. I think they saw me as a target. It was late, I was alone, I look like a tourist or at least, not Spanish (light complexion, blue eyes) so they figured I had some tourist cash on me for the taking.

I am sure that people saw what happened as there were quite a few people out. Still, what can you do if you see the Police doing something like this.

I have seen the police abusing a black woman here. Throwing her against the car, knocking her down and then pulling her up and throwing her in the car. What did I do…nothing. What can you do? The assumption is she had done something illegal. Now, I am not so sure. She was protesting saying she hadn’t done anything. Who knows?

ok the facks have to looked at 1 . what street where you on , 2 . go back and look at shops and buildings for cctv cameras . even the city one run by the town hall , this dose happen in madrid aswell police asking for id and wallets but then hopping in cars and speeding off ... not cops

again more pockets the better , and with bottons , i had guns pointed at me shot at me , and farmers with hay forks running me off there land , think i was the telphone guy lol i just work for a radio systmes comapny

sorry to hear what happen to you and wish place was more safer place

It’s theoretically possible that rogue police (presumably Mossos, as you’re in Catalunya) could do this, I think it’s highly unlikely.  Just think about it - if you were a real cop and wanted to make some money in a corrupt manner, there are loads of ways you could extort thousands, even hundreds of thousands, with very little risk to yourself.  You wouldn’t mug someone for ten bucks at night, when they might have a weapon or you might get caught on cctv.  Pretty scary experience though, nevertheless.  Don’t let it put you off Spain - it’s not likely to get as dangerous as the US any time soon.

Hi MTM. If you were in the area around the Rambla when you were stopped ... it’s almost certain that those who stopped you were fake police officers ... just thieves, crooks. Barcelona is rather famous for it.
A few years ago a couple of friends went there on their honeymoon. They’d just arrived, were on the highway looking for the right exit to go and visit with friends, when they were involved in a small car accident (had come from Italy by car). Upset, they both got off the car (leaving all their belongings inside ...) to look at damages, discuss about insurance, etc. Confused by the shouting of the other car owner they lost some time trying to clarify their position. Suddenly the man shouted something, went back to his car, and left. When my friends got back to the car ... they found out that everything had been stolen: bags, documents, money ... They were lucky though: their car was still there ...
This is Barcelona my dear ... the Barcelona that Spanish and Catalan governments try to HIDE to tourists.
In any case, nowaddays it’s almost the same all over Spain (and the whole world, I’m afraid ...). When you go out at night and have a few drinks ... better call a taxi to take you home.

One thing about the crime - it’s generally non-violent AND/OR it’s not life-destroying stuff. It’s generally petty, it’s generally done by those who understand that there are certain lines they don’t cross. It’s a far cry from crime in the US or UK or other tourist hotspots where things can go from innocent enough (pickpocketing) to you looked at them wrong and they’re high on something so they’re going to cut you into little pieces type thing. They rely on tourists being unable or unwilling to follow up extensively and insurance coverage, so they keep their activities relatively clean. It’s nothing personal. 😉

I’ve had so many run-ins with crime in Barcelona I consider it a tax we pay to the lowest class of society. Back up your electronics, don’t keep too much money on you and leave your passport at home.

And join the hordes of Spaniards who despise the gitanos! (half kidding)

ya like the street venders selling cans of COKE , i dont think so

i was in a service area once stopped in my little truck,and a white car pulled up along the passenger side and announced to my passenger that they where motorway control,the person got out of the car and came to my side and asked for my passport and my passengers,i handed them over he looked and gave them back..then he asked me what iwas carrying ect,,(he had opened a wallet and showed me a piture card and badge of some sort)he then asked if i had any tobbacco booze ect,and am i carrying any false money,(i had about 1000 euro on me in 50s for the trip)i had said no then he asked if he could see my money,as i walked back toward the truck i just sensed it was strange,and asked to see his i,d again,he got a bit angry flashed his wallet and then asked if iwould like to follow him to the station,i said yes i got in the truck and as i closed my door he shot off up over the motorway and off back towards almeria,,,and he seemed so officail, i nearly gave him the money to look at as well….i dont think he expected me to speak as much spanish as i did,being in an english plated truck,wonder how many have actually fallen for something like this,,the things they come up with to scam you are unbelievable…

Very difficult situation.  I was coming out of Arc de Triomf and saw two really ugly, big brutes stop a couple and ask for ID and passports.  I tried to warn the woman but she didn’t want to know.  I walked away but the brutes came chasing after me and asked what was I saying to the woman.  Turns out they were REAL police and so was the woman!!