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Malaysia
22 scams
In Malaysia, you can visit beautiful beaches, explore tropical jungles take in amazing street food scenes as well as explore the vibrant metropolis that is Kuala Lumpur.
However, crime (e.g. rampant bike snatch thefts, car break-ins) and some tourist targeted scams are an important concern.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency (police, ambulance): 999/112
- Fire and rescue: 994/112
- Tourist police: 03 2149 6590
Snatch thefts in Malaysia
5 0How 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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Sob story scammers in Malaysia
5 4How it works: Example 1: at Georgetown, a German woman with a child claims to have her card stuck in an ATM and asks if you can give her some…
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Fake, used attraction tickets in Malaysia
4 1How it works: Outside tourist attractions, touts may offer you discounted tickets to the attraction. These are likely to be invalid (e.g. fake, used ticket, etc). Places to beware: Johor…
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Fake travel agents in Malaysia
4 0How it works: With the rise of digital media, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has found an increasing number of fake/unofficial travel agents in Malaysia. Places…
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Penang National Park boat scam in Malaysia
4 0How it works: Boat operators will tell you that the path to Monkey Beach is closed (it is not) to get you to take their expensive boat rides. Places to…
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Perhentian Island boat scams in Malaysia
3 0How it works: Version 1: You take a taxi from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut jetty. However, you are dropped off at travel agents a few minutes walk from the…
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Home gambling scam in Malaysia
2 0How it works: Opening: a local approaches asks you are from, then claims to have a relative heading to your country! He invites you to his house for a meal,…
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Taxi scams in Malaysia
2 4How it works: Version 1: taxis must use the meter and haggling is prohibited. However, some will still quote an inflate flat fare. Version 2: a driver may use the…
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Timeshare scam in Malaysia
2 0How it works: Opening: touts will give you scratch and win tickets, where you will surely win a prize. To redeem it, you have to head for a 90 minute…
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Fake transport tickets in Malaysia
2 0How it works: There have been reports of fake ferry and bus tickets sold by street touts and guesthouse owners. Places to beware: Anywhere What to do: Buy direct from…
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