25 Common Travel Scams + How to Avoid Them
Travel scams target unfamiliar tourists. Here are 25 of the most common globally + how to spot + avoid them.
1. Tuk-tuk ‘temple closed’ scam (Bangkok, Delhi)
Driver insists temple is closed, offers ‘special tour’ = ends at gem store. Walk away.
2. Bracelet scam (Paris, Rome)
Stranger ties bracelet on wrist ‘for friendship’, demands payment. Don’t engage.
3. Spilled drink / mustard (Paris, Barcelona)
Stranger spills ‘accidentally’, helps wipe = pickpocket partner. Step away.
4. Fake police (any major tourist city)
‘Police’ ask to see passport + wallet, take cash. Real police don’t do this.
5. Taxi ‘meter broken’ (Bangkok, Cairo, Athens)
Cabbie quotes 5-10x fair price. Use Uber/Grab or insist on meter.
6. Free city tour ends at sales (Marrakech, Istanbul)
Friendly local ‘shows you around’, ends at uncle’s carpet shop. Politely decline.
7. Bird poop on shirt (Buenos Aires, Madrid)
Liquid splattered on you, helper offers napkin = pickpocket. Keep walking.
8. Bartender substitution (Patong, Cabo, Cancún)
Order brand-name drink, get cheap substitute charged premium. Verify pour.
9. Currency switcheroo (Buenos Aires, Cairo)
Vendor takes large bill, returns smaller, claims you gave smaller. Count visibly.
10. Fake gemstone scam (Bangkok)
‘Special government gem export’ = worthless glass. Don’t buy gems from tuk-tuks.
11. Henna grab (Marrakech medina)
Woman grabs wrist, applies henna, demands payment. Pull hand away.
12. ATM helper (Eastern Europe, Italy)
‘Helpful’ person watches PIN, distracts, swaps card. Use bank lobby ATMs.
13. Airport taxi mafia (Bali, Marrakech, Cairo)
Drivers quote 5x at arrivals. Pre-book hotel transfer or walk to departures level.
14. Free music CD (Times Square, Las Ramblas)
Rapper hands you CD, demands payment. Don’t accept anything from street performers.
15. Photo with animal scam (Bangkok, Pattaya)
Photo with monkey/snake, demands 1000 baht. Don’t approach animals.
16. Tea house scam (Beijing, Shanghai)
Friendly ‘student’ invites for tea, bill is $500. Skip tea invitations.
17. Damaged scooter scam (Phuket, Bali)
Rent scooter, get charged for pre-existing damage. Photo + video before renting.
18. Fake monk (Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur)
Robed ‘monk’ asks donation + offers bracelet. Real monks don’t ask for money.
19. Slow change (everywhere)
Vendor slowly counts change, expects you to give up + leave. Wait it out.
20. Suitcase wheel removal (overnight trains)
Steal a single wheel, sells back for $50. Use lockable luggage straps.
21. Fake Airbnb listing (all major cities)
Pay deposit, arrival = apartment doesn’t exist. Verify host reviews + recent dates.
22. Hotel front desk impostor call (anywhere)
‘Front desk’ calls room asking credit card details. Hang up + call back.
23. Stranger photo offer (Eiffel Tower, Trevi)
Helpful tourist offers to take photo, runs with phone. Use selfie stick or trusted person.
24. WiFi password evil twin (airports, cafes)
Free WiFi with similar name = data harvester. Use VPN + cellular data.
25. Massage upsell (Bangkok, Patong)
$5 foot massage advertised, $50 charged for extra services. Confirm price + duration upfront.