How the scam works: This horrible trap still happens in Vietnam. Not often, but enough to make you consider it. There are quite a few highway-side restaurants across the country that have deals with certain bus drivers working for low-rated travel companies. Between cities, the driver will stop at a specific restaurant for a “quick […]

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How the scam works: Scenario 1. As you are enjoying your time on the beach, you are approached by a young gentlemen, holding a paper pad and claiming to be a city rep. He will show you the apartments located close to the beach and – stating that the beach is the property of that […]

Public Beaches Read More

How the scam works: You're visiting Thailand and you want to get around quickly but don't want to rent a car, so you decide to get a bike or a moped. You go to the rental agency, pick out a bike, test-drive it and sign the agreement. It mentions that if the bike is lost […]

Renting Bikes and Mopeds Read More

How the scam works: Tourists have reported that plenty of Indonesian market shops use rigged scales. This could happen anywhere, but it occurs frequently in fish-market restaurants, where the fish is cooked in front of the client, and the vendor charges by weight. How to avoid: It is really hard to figure this out, but […]

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How the scam works: Rum and cigars are the most famous Cuban exports, so stocking up on them while visiting is popular amongst travelers. Locals know this as well and there are quite a few of them who are monetizing on tourists’ naivety. There are tons of counterfeit cigars and rum bottles sold by vendors at the Caribbean […]

Rum in the Caribbean Read More

How the scam works: This could really happen anywhere, but it has been reported as occurring particularly at temples, religious festivals, or other sacred spots in India. People offer to perform a ritual for you and then ask for a donation, which is fine. What you don’t want to do is to ask “How much?” […]

Sacred Places in India Read More

Shell Game: How It Works (with explanatory video below) The shell game has existed since at least the 90s, all over the world, but people still lose money over it. Scammers set up on street sidewalks, especially in high tourist areas (Las Vegas, New York, Barcelona, Eastern Europe, etc). The game requires three shells (lids, […]

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How the scam works: This usually occurs in poor countries – and maybe should not be considered a scam, but a trick into luring you to pay more. As you are walking by a busy place and looking around, you bump into a guy who has dropped a brush. He drops it on purpose, knowing […]

Shoe Shiner Approach Read More

How the scam works: You might have bought some items that you really loved while traveling abroad (paintings, statues, etc), but they are big, fragile, or heavy. You really need to ship them home, instead of having to carry them for the rest of your holiday. The merchant says no problem, and it seems like he’s […]

Shipping Items Home Read More

How the scam works: This is still happening a lot in several countries, but preponderantly takes place in Mexico, at gas stations. When you go to pay, the attendant will try to switch – for example – your 200 Peso note with a 20 Peso note, and then argue with you about it. There might […]

Short Change Read More

How the scam works: Is it reported that in several parts of India, travelers are victims of this scam while they are eating in shady restaurants. During lunch or supper, a sharp feeling of dizziness and nausea comes out of the blue. Sweaty and a little concerned, the tourists ask the waiters for any kind […]

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How the scam works: The easiest and most convenient way to get from Northern Thailand to Laos is to take the Slow Boat down the Mekong River, into Luang Prabang. It’s only $9 and takes three days, but offers beautiful scenery – highly recommended: unspoiled traditional villages, fishing communities, paddy fields, etc. However, right when […]

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How the scam works: You are in an airport or a train station, in a country that's not your own. You need to make a phone call back home, but you don't have the proper coins. Finally, you find a public phone that takes credit cards. The phone, just like many others, has a sticker […]

Long Distance Call Sticker Scam Read More

How the scam works: You are going to a different country for a few weeks and are planning to rent a car. Since you don’t have an international driving permit, you research on-line about local driving licenses’ rules and regulations. You come across a website that offers temporary permits while there. Since you are on […]

International Driving License Read More

How the scam works: You are in Istanbul and want to do a tour of the beautiful Bosphorus, which links Europe to Asia. The tour promises a great half-day of fantastic views, stops at old castles, etc. The price is not too shabby, either: 25 Turkish Lira (about $15, 10 EURO, or 9 GBP). As […]

Istanbul Ferry Read More

How the scam works: Never buy jewelry when you are a tourist, especially from countries like Thailand or Mexico. The crooks are offering fake diamonds and sapphires that look real, making you pay $1,000 for a $3 piece of zirconium. The scammers will make you believe they know somebody at the “jewelry factory” and can […]

Jewelry Factory Scam Read More