Jaunted

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Stop, Thief! He's Got My Hair!

It's a widely held guidebook opinion that Brazil can be a dodgy place to visit, although the Jaunted experience in Rio suggests sometimes the books' warnings can be over the top. Nonetheless, there's a disturbing new crime that's hit Rio this week: hair stealing.

On a Rio bus recently--and, without fearmongering, we don't recommend you ride those--a 22 year old Brazilian woman with hair down to her waist felt a strange tug. Then she realized that thieves had cut off her ponytail right at the top. They got away with masses of beautiful dark hair that could easily be sold--police suspect--to hairdressers or beauty salons who can charge hundreds of dollars to customers wanting hair extensions. You may not need to pack a gun in Rio, but it might not hurt to bring a hat.

[Photo: Wam Mosely]

Related Stories:
· Danger in Rio? [Jaunted]
· Hair Theft the Unkindest Cut [The Australian]