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607 scams
Top travel scams in Asia
Forbidden City scams in China
6 1How it works: Opening: Many scammers wait outside the compound at the North side (the exit). Set-up: Scam 1: tea ceremony scam. Scam 2: art gallery/school scam. Scam 3: fake…
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Disaster relief scam in Japan
6 0How it works: Well-dressed, English speaking middle aged individuals/Filipinas will approach and show you documentation about a recent disaster. They’ll be very polite and well-educated on the impact of the…
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Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses scams in China
6 0How it works: Scam 1: unofficial guides will try to sell you discounted tickets and tours. Tours are poor and they are incentivized to bring you to the factory shop…
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Thai orphans scam in Japan
6 0How it works: A stranger approaches and shares with you a range of information about Thai orphans and the struggles they have. Next, you will be asked to make a…
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Shopping scams in India
6 6How it works: Fakes: Not only are some items fake, but they can also be sold at inflated prices (e.g. 50x). Examples: sarees in Kanchipuram, marble in Agra, silk in…
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Ferry, boat ticket scams in Indonesia
6 4How it works: Version 1: You buy a ticket from a street tout who claims the ferry is from a reputable operator, when it is a less than reliable one….
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Duty free gemstone import scam in India
6 1How it works: Opening: a stranger asks if you can help him by using your duty free allowance to import gemstones for him, which he guarantees will be sold to…
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Tailor scam in Thailand
6 3How it works: Opening: you are usually brought to a tailor shop as a result of the tuk-tuk scam (in short, you are told by a tout that an attraction…
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Shopping scams in Vietnam
6 13How it works: Version 1: after you pay, a lower quality item is swapped with the actual item. Version 2: fake stuff (e.g. silk, pearls, war relics). Version 3: claiming…
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Sob story scammers in Singapore
6 0How it works: Foreigner: an infamous past case was that of a well-dressed pair claiming to be here on a business trip from China but got scammed and have no…
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Fake tour agents in China
5 0How it works: Version 1: you may encounter street touts who pass themselves off as from a reputable tour agency with fake name cards. Generally, they will tempt you by…
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Snatch thefts in Malaysia
5 1How it works: Bike/moped: riding past with a pillion rider doing the snatch. Car/taxi/bus: smashing your window and grabbing your valuables at traffic lights/crowded traffic. Bar, restaurant: stealing unattended bags/valuables…
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Fraudulent tour agents in Philippines
5 0How it works: Opening: unofficial “agents” (e.g. driver, street/each tout) will get you to sign up a tour with them. Version 1: you pay everything upfront and they then disappear….
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Electronics shopping scams in Singapore
5 0How it works: Situation: these scams have been going on for decades with locals scammed too. Case in 2014: things came to a head when a Vietnamese tourist had to…
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Restaurant, food stall scams in Cambodia
5 1How it works: Situation: Most food places are fine, it’s generally just a few bad eggs around touristy areas that spoil it for the rest. Set-up: Version 1: after you…
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