Though traveling to foreign countries is supposed to be a fun experience, filled with happy memories, many tourists end up falling for scams which ruin their entire holiday. Below is a list of some of the most typical scams that tourists fall for and how to avoid them.

1) Rome
When traveling to Rome, you’re most likely going to encounter groups of kids hovering around, waving newspapers in front of your face supposedly trying to sell them. However, the newspapers are in fact only a cover-up. In reality, the newspaper blocks your vision and in that second another kid reaches into your pocket, stealing your wallet or valuables.

Counter measure: Should you encounter this kind of situation, shake off the little rascals confidently and with determination.

2) Bangkok
Some tourists at the duty free shops in the Bangkok Airport find, to their surprise, that they’ve accidentally insulted officials. They end up having false charges brought against them, such as theft, and get arrested as a result. During their time in custody, a mediator will come by for a visit, claiming he can return their freedom for a sum of money. After the deal is done the mediator will share the money with the police.

Counter measure: Avoid buying things at duty free shops in the airport unless you really have to.

3) Airport waiting rooms
Some tourists at foreign airports may end up sitting beside someone eating a hot dog inthe airport’s waiting room. As the person eats, it seems like he/she accidentally splashes some mustard on you. After that the person will apologise immediately, fumbling your close in a so-called attempt to rid your clothes of the mustard stain. However, at that moment when you’re unaware, his accomplice will carry your suitcase away.

Counter measure: Whenever you’re in a public area, always have you’re luggage firmly between your legs, regardless of whether you’re standing or sitting.

4) Paris
In the streets of Paris, tourists may come across a person who has just found a gold ring on the street and is willing to sell it to you for a good price. However, after you’ve bought the ring you’ll quickly discover that the so called “gold” is nothing more than brass.

Counter measure: Golden rings don’t just magically appear on streets, whether in Paris or in any other place. If somebody tries to strike up a conversation like that with you on the street just refuse to talk to them flat out.

5) Rome or Paris
When in either one of these cities, tourists are likely to encounter a very elegant person giving street directions or travel advice. However, during conversation the person will suddenly place a hand-made woven bracelet around your wrists, securing it with a tight knot. After that, the person will insist that you pay for it. If you refuse, the person will scream out loud that you’ve stolen their bracelet. People in that situation will usually want to avoid a big scene. Against their will they’ll end up paying a couple of Euros to make the person go away.

Counter measure: Be vigilant towards any people you meet who are over-friendly or who strike up a conversation with you on the street.

6) Eastern Africa
When tourists drive into a little town, a seemingly caring person on the street will point out that there is an oil leakage from your tires. However, in actual fact the oil that you see on the tires was put on the tires by that very person at that moment. He’ll continue by saying that he knows of a repair garage in the corner. When you get to the garage you’ll definitely end up complaining about the extortionate price to fix your car. The money the garage owner has extorted from you is then shared with the guy on the street who led you there.

Counter measure: Be vigilant towards anyone who says that you’re car has a problem and is willing to help you fix it.

7) Bars
In unfamiliar cities, some tourists, particularly two male tourists, will come across two beautiful women who invite them for drinks at a private room in a bar. When the bill comes the men will discover that the sum is extortionately high, beyond belief. What’s more, they are only able to pay in cash. The men are only let go after they have paid up.

Counter measure: Be vigilant towards any stranger who wants to take you to a nightclub or private bar.

8) London or any other big city
In big cities like London, tourists are likely to come across a situation in a noisy, crowded area, such as an old woman suddenly falling down the escalators in the subway. However, in actual fact she’s just attracting the attention of passersby while keeping them distracted from the thieves that are working the edges of the crowd.

Counter measure: It’s best to shy away from this kind of situation and keep a close eye on your belongings.

9) Italy and Eastern European Countries
Many tourists, especially female tourists travelling on their own, will often encounter a Romanian woman hugging a child. This woman may press the baby wrapped in a blanket into the arms of the tourist. Just as the tourist begins to feel sad, her backpack, camera or valuables will already have been snatched away by an accomplice. The tourist will usually only realise after the thief has run off that the “baby” in the blanket is actually just a doll.

Counter measure: Stay away from Romanians and beggars on the street. When they try to get close to you, it’s best to leave as quickly as possible.

10) Rome
The number 64 bus that drives to all the main sites in Rome is usually crowded with tourists and pick-pockets. The pick pocket’s usual trick is to create chaos in the bus. As the tourists are distracted they steal their wallets, camera etc.

Counter measure: When sitting in a crowded bus or train, make sure to keep your belongings close by you at all times.

11) Barcelona
When tourists with luggage wait for taxis, some tourists may encounter a guy on a bike cycling past. As he cycles past he snatches your backpack and scoots away. As tourists drop their other luggage to follow the “thief”, an accomplice will come along and steal your other luggage.

Counter measure: Put valuable items such as your wallet, credit card and passport the inner pockets of your clothes, in a money belt or any other place that’s hard to reach for robbers.

12) Moscow
Tourists may encounter a person who bumps into them on the road and then drops all their things. As you are picking up a bag with bank notes and about to give it back to its owner, you realise that you yourself have stumbled into a tricky situation. The person will firmly claim that you have tricked them with the money. The person will only give it a rest after you’ve given them some extra cash.

Counter measure: Don’t be afraid to scream out loud. The last thing these pranksters want is extra attention, especially since the police know all about these scam tricks.

13) Istanbul
When tourists pay a taxi fare with a 50 Lira note, the taxi driver may drop it on the ground. After that he’ll quickly pick up another a five Lira note that is difficult to distinguish between the 50. He will then accuse the passengers of paying too little.

Counter measure: when you come across this kind of situation, you should immediately call the local police number at 155. The police all know about this scam. If the police come to intervene the taxi driver will most likely lose his driving license.

14) Bangkok
At the street near the palace, people seemingly posing as regular tour guides will strike up a conversation with you. They’ll tell you that the palace won’t be open this morning, but that he’d be willing to get you in for an extra fee.

Counter measure: Ignore these types of people. You should go to the main entrance yourself to find out the opening hours. And the best way to go about finding a tour guide is getting your hotel to provide a guide with proper qualifications.

15) The security check
Just as tourists are about to go through the metal detectors at the airport’s security check, somebody will suddenly skip the queue and jump in front of you. The metal detector will beep as he goes through it. The people behind you will then stand still. It will seem like the queue jumper forgot to take out his keys when going through the check. Just as you’re in a flurry to get through and collect your bag at the other end, the queue jumper’s partner will already have passed you by and taken your belongings from the conveyor belt and disappeared without a trace.

Counter measure: Only put your valuables onto the conveyor belt just before you go through the metal detectors and keep your eye on your bag at all times.

Source: ifeng.com

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Related Links

Common Scams in China (pt.2): Taxi Scams
Common Scams in China (pt 3): The Tea Scam
13 Common Scams and How to Avoid Them

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