LOL! I remember seeing that scam profiled on “60 Minutes” probably over 25 years ago or so. They’re still at it, I take it.
We have real Gypsies here in the Czech Republic. It varies; some are cool, and good neighbors, and some......well, not so much.
My next door neighbor is a Gypsy, an older gentleman; honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him without a tie, LOL. Dapper sort of older gentleman.
Daughter did study abroad in Italy a couple of years ago.
Warned about the Gypsies, they would toss what looked like a child at you and steal your stuff while startled. The little kids would swarm you and pick your pocket. The bus from the central train station in Rome to the Vatican is known as the “Pick Pocket Express “.