As an Italian, I can suggest you a simple rule to avoid scam restaurants: simply AVOID all those restaurants with with huge signs and food-photos (!) outside showing prices and menus: they’re easy to spot because the only people sitting there are tourists. Besides the price, the worst part is that you’ll eat badly!

I cannot imagine what its like to wake up every single day of my life thinking of ways to screw somebody over. I just don't have that mindset.

Regarding taking money out of an ATM at 4:47

I had a terrible experience with the scammers in Paris in front of Sacre-Coeur. Those were scammers from Africa with friendship bracelets. In the end they began being violent grabbing hands, etc.

I’m finding that thieves (of all kinds - scammers, pickpockets, shoplifters, etc) is a type of low life I have less and less tolerance for as time goes on.

The most honest people in Europe live a little further north, namely the Bavarians. Two days ago, a tourist got lost on her bike. A Bavarian was also cycling and almost home. It was just before sunset. The tourist asked for help. The Bavarian called his wife, and she drove the tourist 40 km to her apartment, free of charge, of course. The tourist was stunned that such honest people still exist.

Tips from an Italian:

You forgot to mention one thing: scammers and pickpockets are engaged with cops, that takes bribes from them to walk freely around.

One GREAT ATM tip is to always look for the closest Post Office or Poste Italiane. They usually always have an ATM and they don’t charge any fee. Some of those grocery store ATMs will charge you 6€ just to use them.

In Rome, my server tried to charge me a whole bottle, while I only had a glass of wine. When I pointed out he said it was a mistake. I saved 60 euro.

For me, just a dismissive wave of the hand without breaking pace has always tackled potential scammers successfully on European streets.

A country that locals scam people and police enforcement don’t protect tourists from scammers is not worth visiting.