Punga (pick pocketer)

Question

So there are people that are pungas, and then there are the people that just come and demand money and so on what are those people called? For example: Someone sits next to you and says you picked up that change didnt you? Give it! (con la cara bien amargada) and then say leave with about ten dollars+ from your own wallet. And they might make a big scene out of it etc. I'm not asking for the people that steal without your knowledge.

Answer 1

Pickpocket is the correct word in English. I think carterista/o is the correct word in Spanish.

I like this the most - Rey_Mysterio, Feb 24, 2012

Estoy de acuerdo contigo, Jack. Yo también diría "carterista" ("carteristo" no existe). - Cordobesa, Feb 25, 2012

Answer 2

The guy on the train who follows you and walks away with your wallet in Madrid in English is a pickpocket. People told me in Spanish they are called rateros.

I look like a German tourist, so they were always following me when I lived there.

Answer 3

Una pregunta muy interesante. Vamos a ver:

• ratero = robber (Colombia)
• choro = robber, thief (pejorative, Venezuela?)
• malandro = gangster, thief, burglar, robber (Venezuela), scrounger
• ladrón = robber
• cuatrero = horse thief, cattle rustler
• atracador = bank robber
• asaltabanco = bank robber (Mexico)
• asaltante = assailant
• salteador = highwayman

• bandido = bandit

  Pero, no tenía mucho exito.

The one you find on the train when your riding a train and st arts messing with you. - Rey_Mysterio, Feb 24, 2012

Answer 4

ladrón ?

A theif will do it will do it without your knowledge. - Rey_Mysterio, Feb 24, 2012