It’s easy to drift into carefree mode, soaking in the new surroundings, when traveling abroad. But as much as we’d like to forget about the problems and enjoy ourselves to the max, tourist scams and traps are a big part of traveling. And the sooner you learn how to detect and handle them, the sooner that fear of getting scammed will disappear, leaving you feeling safer and more comfortable.
But to make sure you don’t fall into such a trap, you have to learn about them in the first place. Thanks to Chiara Igoe, @chiarapanama, we now know what to expect in different tourist destinations, from Athens to Tokyo.
In a series of viral videos, Chiara explains what travel scams you should look out for, and what to do if you suspect you’ve become a target.
#21
Athens, Greece:
Book on the table: while you're outside on a terrace in a restaurant, a guy will come up and he looks like he's reading a book or purposefully selling something, he'll come up and put this stuff on your table and offer to sell it, or he will just talk to you, stack the book or whatever they were selling on whatever is yours and then leave with it.
Book on the table: while you're outside on a terrace in a restaurant, a guy will come up and he looks like he's reading a book or purposefully selling something, he'll come up and put this stuff on your table and offer to sell it, or he will just talk to you, stack the book or whatever they were selling on whatever is yours and then leave with it.
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39points
#22
Istanbul, Turkey:
If you're at a restaurant, a music group might come up and serenade you while you pay the check for your food, so you'll get distracted. When you expect your change, they'll tell you you paid the exact amount. Always pay by card or the exact amount.
If you're at a restaurant, a music group might come up and serenade you while you pay the check for your food, so you'll get distracted. When you expect your change, they'll tell you you paid the exact amount. Always pay by card or the exact amount.
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39points
#23
Seoul, South Korea:
Fake high end bags being sold. In Ewha Womans University, women have been caught selling fake cosmetic products only to foreigners. Only buy from established retail owners.
Fake high end bags being sold. In Ewha Womans University, women have been caught selling fake cosmetic products only to foreigners. Only buy from established retail owners.
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39points
#24
Buenos Aires, Argentina:
The cabaret scam: while walking down the street, a beautiful woman may come up and offer you to see a free show. You go, have a great time, order a few drinks and then when you close out the tab you get a receipt with a bunch of things you didn't order. They're still going to make you pay for it.
The cabaret scam: while walking down the street, a beautiful woman may come up and offer you to see a free show. You go, have a great time, order a few drinks and then when you close out the tab you get a receipt with a bunch of things you didn't order. They're still going to make you pay for it.
38points
#25
Rome, Italy:
The glamorous (wo)man: they come up and introduce themselves with an Italian accent and ask where the Colosseum is. They'll tell you they work for Versace, Gucci or any other major brand, and they'll offer you a free product if you help them get there. They'll give you the product, and ask you for money, like "can you give me $20 for gas". The product is fake. Don't take it and don't help them.
The glamorous (wo)man: they come up and introduce themselves with an Italian accent and ask where the Colosseum is. They'll tell you they work for Versace, Gucci or any other major brand, and they'll offer you a free product if you help them get there. They'll give you the product, and ask you for money, like "can you give me $20 for gas". The product is fake. Don't take it and don't help them.
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36points
#26
Istanbul, Turkey:
Shoe cleaners: a lot of times an older man will be walking in front of you and "accidentally" drop a brush. If you pick it up, he'll offer you to clean your shoes. You're going to think that's free, but nothing is free.
Shoe cleaners: a lot of times an older man will be walking in front of you and "accidentally" drop a brush. If you pick it up, he'll offer you to clean your shoes. You're going to think that's free, but nothing is free.
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36points