While we were in Florence we heard about the “fake baby” ploy. Apparently, young women will carry a doll in a snuggly and then use this to conceal one hand. Then they try to get close to you in a crowded situation and while you think they are attending to the baby, they use the concealed hand to rifle through your pockets or purse.
In Rome, all of my (Karen) warning antenna came to life when I was on a very crowded bus and a young woman got on with a baby (a real, very young baby) in a carrier strapped to her front. She was very close to me and I was watching her. When I looked down, sure enough her hand that had been concealed under the baby’s blanket was opening the zipper of my purse! Naturally, she didn’t get anything - and in fact there was nothing in the purse to take. Another lesson, and reminder to keep your wits about you when in crowded places.