Notorious Travel Scams

What To Look Out For

In this article I’ll explain some scams that you are likely to come across in your travels abroad. Backpackers and holiday makers alike can look out of place in foreign countries and this can make them easy targets for criminals.

If someone who you don’t know ever comes up to you when you’re out and about, especially if you’re in a tourist hotspot always question their motives and intentions, no matter how reasonable they seem, they most definitely have accomplices nearby waiting in case things don’t go their way!

If you are aware of the scam beforehand it may help to see the signs when it’s occurring.

I have myself fallen for some of these, you have a feeling of great stupidity when it happens but you do learn quickly what to look out for.

So here are some of the most notorious travel scams.

The Free Bracelet

I am starting with this scam because this was the very first scam I fell for early on in my travels, at the base of the Sacré-Cœur in Paris, what happens is a friendly person will come up to you, all smiles “my friend” they will ask to put out your hand, in an instant they will begin making you a colourful bracelet, isn’t that nice.

Who knew that it was so easy to make friends hey!

It is not nice.

Once they have quickly made this bracelet they will demand money for it, it’s on there tight so you can’t just break it off or remove it to give it back to them, their 20 seconds of work and 5 cents worth of string could cost you much money, you’ll notice that you’re surrounded by people all on their side… I prefer not to say how much I lost; I prefer to keep what I have left of my dignity.

My problem was that I was too polite, the next time I visited Paris I made sure to make a scene.

I believe this is also done with rosary beads and necklaces.

The Item

Similar to the free bracelet, someone will approach you and offer you an item, this may be a small souvenir, a trinket or a rose for your love, they will try to get you to hold it, once in your hand they will demand that you pay for it, it’ll be exorbitant.

Avoid this scam by refusing to take hold of the item, unfortunately they usually try this scam whilst you are waiting in line for something and will not give up as you have nowhere to go, just ignore them and do not give in to their pity.

It’s the age old adage don’t accept things from strangers.

Money Exchange

I have unfortunately been a target to many a scam, mainly for my sweet smile and endearing qualities, and so may you.

Whenever you are getting out money from an ATM in a foreign country be aware of your surroundings and those watching, you are a target.

Some countries have old currencies still in circulation in their systems, these currencies are not the same value as the new ones they can be a pittance. Remember this. Cuba is the most notorious.

I was getting out some money from an ATM in Prague once and I noticed a man was weirdly waiting for me to finish, once I got the money out he approached me and asked in broken English if I could swap some smaller notes with him for the larger ones that I had just received. He had the right change but I was aware of this scam and I was not having a good day this day, he was old, one kick to the knee cap and he would be incapacitated, so I took my chances and kindly told him to go fuck himself.

Be aware that at shops and restaurants they too can look for an opportunity, breaking large bills can mean that you are given back counterfeit notes or the wrong notes entirely. Always check, it’s good to know the currency that you are handling to a degree. In some situations a note may be declared counterfeit and as you argue, your real note that you have just handed to them is replaced by a fake by slight of hand which is handed back.

Having cash can be the preferred option when travelling it’s much easier than using a card, the more you use a card the more likely your details will be used but don’t hold too much. Inspect every ATM before you use it, if it looks bulky or odd don’t use it, it may have a skimmer on it, always cover your PIN home and abroad and if someone’s watching you avoid at all costs.

Pick Pockets

A helpful local is never a helpful local unless you’re approaching them not the other way around.

Be aware of your surroundings as pick pockets can be on the prowl, if anyone is extremely close to you be aware of their intentions, be aware of your own personal space.

Unfortunately pick pockets target those in bustling centres, train stations and tourist destinations where a bump can be expected, it can be as easily done as a brush by from a stranger or a small accident to distract.

I know lots of travellers keep small satchels strapped to them that holds their most important items, you can go this route, though they are tedious if travelling for a long time, or wear skinny jeans I can’t even get my own wallet out, good luck thief!

So if you feel a bump or a pretty lady is capturing your attention, their accomplice is probably stealing your belongings.

The Spiked Drink

This one has frighteningly happened to me, I was backpacking through Poland where this scam runs rife, in the town of Krakow, I was inside a bar on a pub crawl organised by the hostel. I was a target, you think a man, yes a man, the aim of me being roofied was to steal my money, fortunately my friends noticed there was something amiss so they took me back to the hostel before anything could happen. I thankfully wasn’t sold into sex slavery or worse robbed.

This one is hard, be sure to drink with friends, cover your drinks but when it is the bartender and his accomplices taking advantage of you there’s not much more that you can you do.

Police Officer Impersonators

I’ve never personally come across this one but I’m assured it’s prevalent; people are much more likely to comply with someone in a uniform, especially a police uniform.

These fake police officers may try to make up an infraction that you have broken, a local law or fine, they could demand money or even your passport - passports are very popular across black markets.

If this is the case ask to see identification and insist on going to the local police station to clear things up. Real police won’t ever ask you to pay a fine on the spot, that my friend is robbery. A fake police officer will want to go nowhere near a real police station.

Important, never ever accept drugs overseas, ever, unless it’s Sebastian with the dreadlocks and guitar from your hostel. You may be offered drugs on the street and if you purchase be set up to costly bribes by a police officer nearby in on the act.

The Fake Guide

Your camera can be one of the most expensive items on you and it can make a quick buck in a pawn shop, so if someone approaches you and insists on taking your photo say that you simply don’t want one, ask another tourist for a photo.

I had a man approach me in Dallas, Texas in front of the building that was used by JFK’s shooter, he was a lovely man incredibly charismatic, he started talking telling me the history of the place that we were standing in, it was all very interesting until he said the words “here give me your camera I’ll take a picture of you in front of the window.” I looked at the window, I looked at my camera and I said “I’m okay thanks.” He said you don’t want a picture? Why not here give me the camera” I looked at the window, I looked at my camera and I said “this is a scam isn’t it?” He then began verbally abusing me asking for a tip for his services, I didn’t have any money for even that.

It’s unfortunate that what was a nice conversation turned into a ploy to take advantage of me.

Handing over your camera for someone to take a picture is an everyday occurrence, but in this case they may run away with it, somehow this man must have known I wouldn’t chase after him even if my life depended on it.

I love taking photos of others in front of beautiful sites and them taking unfortunate ill framed photos back, that’s travel, if you’re handing over your camera make sure that they’re on the same terms as you are.

Directions

It’s sad that even looking lost can get you taken advantage of, with this one someone will come up to you asking if you need help, they will be overly nice and take you right to where you need to be, the twist is they’ll expect a payment for this, for simply advising you on where to go, unless you are in the ultra polite Japan if someone is overly eager to help you be wary. Best advice - spot another traveller and ask them, they may be in the same dilly of a pickle.

Certainly don’t follow anyone to a second location; this could be a set up.

Beggars

Beggars are everywhere and with a wince of their face they will show you the pity that they expect. It is human to feel sorry for them especially when it is someone injured or pregnant, a woman or a child, they though could just be being used as a pawns by gangs to collect money.

If you want to give them something buy them food, you’ll find that they tend to refuse the food… now why would they do that? Never give them money - you are supporting crime and enabling poverty by doing so.

I have found this on every continent that I have travelled too. We sometimes don’t see the negative effects of a positive action. In South America children are taken out of school to pursue begging, if they have nothing to receive then they will stay in school and hopefully become educated enough to not go down the same route as those around them.

Taxis, Tuk Tuks, Transport

Broken meters, indirect routes and outrageous fares are all go to scams for some drivers, it doesn’t matter where in the world you are, make sure to always agree on what you will be paying before you go, don’t close the door until this is agreed upon and have a map pre-loaded and opened to make sure you are being taken directly to the right place and not in the opposite direction.

When you are leaving a destination ask the staff what you should expect to pay, they may also know a reliable driver and be able to get them to be your driver. Make sure that it is an authorised taxi not an unlicensed one. The destination you choose is the destination you must arrive at; do not let them persuade you to go anywhere but there.

This scam got me into a lot of trouble once upon a time, I still get shivers down my spine, I foolishly made this mistake in Memphis, Tennessee. The story is too wild to be believed, guns and drugs were involved, maybe another time.

Public transport.

Unfortunately every once in a while you have to be separated from your luggage, if on a bus or train try to sit in a place where you can see the bags being taken out and always hold your valuables in a separate bag on your lap. Buses and trains can be risky but it’s a risk you have to take, just keep an eye on things.

Over Priced Goods

Over priced goods, they’re everywhere, you may spot a painter in a tourist site, he has a palette and a canvas, he has just started painting, he has paintings all around him, wow, how talented hey, now look closer at the canvases he is selling, these are not paintings, these are prints!

Unfortunately the hand made craft you are looking at is most likely mass produced to get fools like you to buy it.

Street sellers can be very persuasive because in this case they have an item that you see can see with your own two eyes, make sure to inspect it.

They may have a proposition that sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is buddy! You think a street vendor really has real watches? Really? Or a gold ring!?

Best thing to do is barter! If you think something is not worth what they say then barter, they still want to go away at the end of the day by making a profit, so even if it is a mass produced trinket the right price is still the right price.

These people are at least operating a business and you are receiving something in return, they’re just trying to make a living like the rest of us…like and subscribe…don’t be taken advantage of but don’t make a big deal if it’s a pittance in your currency.

Border Control

Corruption runs deep in many developing countries, it runs deep in developed countries too but it’s much better hidden.

It doesn’t matter the persons position, you may be asked to pay a bribe, this can happen when crossing a border between two countries, there is not much you can do about this, but if you can - try to cross the border with a large bunch of tourists, on a tourist bus you are less likely to be a target, compared to if you cross alone.

Conclusion

Unfortunately kindness in these cases will have you taken advantage of. Anyone who greets you with “my friend”, that person is not your friend.

If you think you’re being rude by saying no, remember these people are about to take advantage of you, stand up for yourself. Unless they are actually just straight up mugging you, then for your own safety probably just hand over the money.

Scams are unfortunate but they are easily avoided, simply don’t trust anyone, ever.

Jokes, say no, a quick no, no, no, no, no will go far. If something doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t.

The romance of travel hey!

You will get scammed there is no doubt, but don’t let the bad outweigh the good, don’t let this deter you.

Commonsense is key.

Take care of those kidneys.

Daris Laurins.