BATTERED IN THE STREET
A BRIT tourist was left with blood pouring from his head after he tried warn holiday makers about a gang of scammers in Benidorm.
Nathan Smith, 23, had tried to stop other tourists from falling for the 'trileros' scam that lures passers-by to pick an object from the simple 'cup game'.
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They are then asked to place a bet on which cup contains the object - usually a pea or potato.
The good Samaritan who tried to save other Brits from parting with their hard-earned cash was surrounded by seven men and was beaten around the head with bats.
Speaking to The Sun, Nathan said: "A friend and I were walking down towards the beach and saw these blokes trying to do the pea scam on a group of elderly ladies.
'SCARED FOR MY LIFE'
"My mate saw what was happening and went over and confronted them.
"They then grabbed metal bats and knives and attacked us. I got hit quite badly on the back of my head.
"I was scared for my life, I didn't know if I was going to come out alive. I got battered and covered in blood.
"My friend came out of it black and blue, he had a black ear and two black eyes."
As the vicious attack took place on the bustling central Gerona street in Benidorm, tourists watched in horror as the man was kicked to the ground.
One of his attackers smashed an object over his head while another wrapped his legs around him as they struggled on the floor.
STREET ENTERTAINMENT SCAM
Some tried to break the fight up while others filmed the beating, which now has been viewed on YouTube more than 1,600 times.
Eventually another British sun-seeker intervened and rescued Nathan, who said that he had previously seen an elderly woman 'scammed' by the group.
The 'pea men' scam is one of the resort's oldest cons and is understood to be run by criminal gangs masquerading as street performers.
The rigged game can often cost up to €50 to play and fake players will take part in the bet first and then seem to win big - making it look like a good idea to the unsuspecting passer-by.
The light-fingered thieves also pickpocket the gamblers as they play the cup game.
According to TripAdvisor, other tourists claim they have had their wallets or purses 'ripped' from their hands by the gang of 'pea men'.
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Nathan added: "Back in the UK, I visited a local hospital and they said I had a bad concussion and was lucky my head healed so well.
"They said I should have have four to eight stitches.
"There is a big problem with scammers in Benidorm and it has put me off ever going again."
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