Benidorm

YouTuber Attacked While Exposing Benidorm‘s Infamous “Potato Men” Scam

BENIDORM, SPAIN – A popular travel YouTuber, known online as Wendall, found himself the target of an assault while attempting to document a notorious street scam in benidorm’s vibrant nightlife scene. The incident occurred as Wendall sought to expose the “potato men” con, a deceptive game preying on unsuspecting tourists.

The scam involves tricksters setting up a makeshift table with three hollowed-out potatoes, hiding a pea beneath one. A confederate in the crowd feigns winning, encouraging drunken holidaymakers to bet their money on a rigged game.

When Wendall began filming the operation, the scammers became aggressive, demanding he cease filming. Despite Wendall’s attempts to reason with them, the situation escalated, resulting in him being physically assaulted. “He punched me in the throat, just for filming the street,” wendall reported, visibly shaken by the encounter.

Following the attack, Wendall continued his exploration of Benidorm’s pubs, encountering many British tourists enjoying the resort town’s offerings. He noted the affordability of drinks, with some establishments like Uncle Ron’s bar offering pints for as little as €1 (approximately 90p), perhaps the cheapest in Western Europe. The owner attributes his success to the low beer prices attracting customers who then purchase food.

However, Wendall also observed that not all establishments are thriving, with some pubs having closed down and one even repurposed as a shelter for the homeless.

His tour concluded at the Red Lion, widely considered Benidorm’s roughest pub. Despite its notorious reputation, Wendall experienced a surprisingly calm evening, even being encouraged to entice customers with the offer of a complimentary shot. He acknowledged that while brawls might occasionally spill outside the establishment, its central location on the strip means it’s a focal point of the town’s lively atmosphere.

Ultimately, Wendall concluded that for an early evening drink, the Red Lion presented a less risky proposition then encountering the local con artists.