Another one that I've seen in Rome (and watched the woman get arrested) is a woman clutching a child and asking for help. She uses her hand to emphasise the begging. The victim watches that hand since the other one is obviously holding the baby.

Nope, the baby is in a sling contraption and the hand that looks like it's holding it up is fake. The woman's real hand is free underneath it and may now be in the unsuspecting tourist's handbag relieving them of their Euros.

Thanks for pointing this version out though - I'll keep my bags close.