Travel Scams

How the scam works: This scam used to happen very often on the Ukrainian overnight trains coming from Poland or Belarus. Once the train crossed the border, immigration officers would visit the cabins for the necessary visas, passports, etc. However, it was reported that their trick was to find a tourists with photo/video cameras outside […]

Ukraine Border/Overnight Train Read More

Vacation Home Rental Scam: How It Works (with video below) Some vacation home rentals are truly phenomenal, but beware of the newest trap: the Vacation Rentals By Owner or For Rent by Owner scam! Imagine this: You are ready to have the vacation of your dreams, say travel to Kazakhstan to discover the modern nomadic […]

Vacation Rental: Owner Read More

Beware of a new vacation rental scam, where the criminal is the 'tourist' trying to rent your property. Here is how it works:

Vacation Rental Scam Read More

How the scam works: You are shopping in South East Asia and find a video camera advertised for an amazing price. You decide to buy it and, as the transaction goes through, the seller says they are out of stock and the camera you just played with is just for display, and doesn’t have a case […]

Out of Stock Product Read More

How the scam works: You might have heard of the famous papyrus, a thick paper-like material produced from the papyrus plant. In Egypt, in most places you’ll go, convincing men will probably approach you, offering you their own original papyrus papers for sale. Not only are they overpriced, but they are not original either. How […]

Papyrus for Sale Read More

How the scam works: Several shady companies located in the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, or India offer illegal documents. You find them online and all you have to do is send them money and they will send you passports or citizenships cards, claiming they are official. What they do is actually use passports of dead people […]

Passports and Citizenships Read More

How the scam works: This has been reported to happen in many countries. As you are enjoying a touristy spot, your pocket or bag vibrates. A phone is ringing inside, but it is not yours! All of a sudden, a person standing five yards away starts yelling from the top of her lungs, accusing you […]

Phone Slipped in Your Pocket Read More

How the scam works: If you are visiting, let’s say, the Coliseum in Rome, you will most likely have to stand in line for about 15-20 minutes, on a good day. The line is compact and thick (4-5 people wide) and slowly advances, as everybody is mesmerized by the overwhelming construction. Almost everybody looks up […]

Pick Pocketing/Famous Places Read More

How the scam works: (with video below) How often do you order pizza? Be aware of a menu –featuring a big juicy pizza, chicken wings or onion rings– sitting in your mailbox, hotel or motel room, regardless of where you live. The scam is so easy to pull that you could fall victim whether you […]

Order Pizza Much? Here’s A Fake Menu Waiting In Your Mailbox Read More

How the scam works: Scenario 1: You are on vacation in Thailand and having the time of your life. You're walking down the street when suddenly, you find yourself being stopped by the Bangkok police! Asking what you are charged with, the officer tells you it's for having counterfeit bills. They check your wallet and pockets […]

Police Fake Arrests Read More

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 […]

Prison Restaurants Read More

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 […]

Rigged Scales Read More

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, […]

Shell Game Read More