I explained the scenario recently to Robert Siciliano, a personal-security expert, and he agreed that, yes, I was more than likely a target for a theft, albeit good-naturedly. Then again, that's how much of the world's milder forms of crime work: You're goaded into distraction and dropping your guard, then, poof, the wallet is gone.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-09-10/travel/sc-trav-0910-travel-mechanic-20130910_1_american-exceptionalism-robert-siciliano-english-words