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Top travel scams in Africa
Snatch thefts in South Africa
6 2How it works: Two versions: strike and run; distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Street, mall, shop, park, transportation hub: distracting and snatching from you, then escaping via a getaway car or…
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Unofficial guides in Tanzania
6 0How it works: Opening: a friendly local offers to show you around or just starts to follow you and points out places of interest along the way. Set-up: even though…
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Students English practice scam in Morocco
6 0How it works: You may encounter students who approach you claiming to want to practice their English. Like the tea ceremony scam in China, if you agree, you will eventually…
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Invalid train ticket scam in Kenya
6 0How it works: Situation: there have been many cases of invalid train tickets sold, especially for connecting trains. Set-up: when tickets are handed to you, a valid ticket is usually…
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Papyrus scroll museum scam in Egypt
6 0How it works: Opening: your driver recommends and brings you here, or a street tout claiming to be an Egyptologist/head of a Papyrus institute offers to show you how papyrus…
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Hell’s Gate National Park scams in Kenya
6 0How it works: Scam 1: you can rent bikes from the park, but your driver claims that you can’t and so brings you to another overpriced bike shop where he…
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Tanzanite imitations in Tanzania
5 0How it works: Tanzanite is only mined in Tanzania, and like gold, jewelry and other gemstones, you will probably come across imitations on the streets. Places to beware: Arusha What…
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Ferry ticket scams in Tanzania
5 1How it works: Version 1: touts push you to buy tickets for overcrowded ferries and boats at inflated prices. Version 2: fake night ferry tickets from Dar es Salaam to Stone…
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Sculpture shipping scam in Zimbabwe
5 0How it works: This was perpetuated by an infamous gallery owner Tapiwa Chiadzwa near Victoria Falls who has since been arrested. There are tourists who buy sculptures in the area,…
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Unofficial guide and guard scams in Egypt
5 5How it works: Version 1: unofficial guides will ask to check your ticket, not return it and then proclaim themselves as your guide. You will be brought on a low…
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