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This scam appears in different forms. Usually happens in tourist hot spots and crowded areas. One of the most common modus operandi is the “friendship bracelet” where a person ties a bracelet onto a tourist’s wrist, then demands payment for it. Continue reading “Swindling Street Performers”

This scam is prevalent almost everywhere. Heartless syndicates use people with disability, seniors, pregnant women and very young children to ask money from passersby. Continue reading “Mendicants and Child Beggars”

A friendly local approaches a tourist at an ATM cash machine and offers assistance to avoid local bank fees. An accomplice pretending to be a fellow tourist also lining up for the ATM helps convince the victim to accept the offer. Continue reading “ATM Skimming”

Usually carried out by a group of people, the fake police officer scam is a popular one in many large cities. The scheme starts with a stranger approaching a tourist and offering expensive items like watches or illicit items such as drugs. Continue reading “Fake Police Officers”

An increasing number of travelers are choosing vacation rental stays over hotel accommodations. Apart from the relatively cheaper rates, information about vacation rentals abound on the internet making it easier for would-be travelers to book instantly. Continue reading “Fake Vacation Rental”

Taxi drivers, again. are the common perpetrators of this scam. While en route to your hotel, the driver will tell you that the hotel is either closed, overbooked or has bad reputation and then take you to a more expensive hotel where the driver receives a nice fat commission. Continue reading “Overbooked Or Closed Hotel”

This scheme is usually perpetrated by cab drivers near airports, train stations or any tourist hot spots (but it can happen anywhere!). Continue reading “Broken Taxi Meter”