Sigiriya

Scams in Sri Lanka

Spice garden scam in Sri Lanka

  5   1

How it works: Opening: a self-proclaimed doctor/professor brings you on a free tour. Free tea or a massage is given as well to make you feel good. Set-up: he claims…

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Sapphire, gem shop scams in Sri Lanka

  5   0

How it works: Situation: Sri Lanka is the home of sapphires and unfortunately, gem scams too. Opening: a street tout/tuk-tuk driver tells you of a one day festival where you can…

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Unofficial guides, touts in Sri Lanka

  5   1

How it works: Unofficial guides: Version 1: latch on to you, provide low quality, unsolicited advice, then demand a fee. Version 2: giving you wrong directions to get you lost…

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Ruwanwelisaya ticket scam in Sri Lanka

  4   0

How it works: In Ruwanwelisaya, there are 7 free sites and 3 paid sites. There are rogue tour operators which charge you for tickets to the paid sites but only…

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Stilt fishing photo scam in Sri Lanka

  4   0

How it works: Stilt fishing is done by holding fishing rods while sitting on top of large poles. However, some are not actually fishing, but just there to pose for…

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Colombo Fort Railway Station scams in Sri Lanka

  4   1

How it works: Scam 1: a stranger offers to help you get train tickets. He brings you to the Tourist Information Office, which claims that there are no vacancies on…

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Pickpockets in Sri Lanka

  3   1

How it works: They work in a gang – one onlooker, one blocks, pushes, distracts, or engages you, one grabs and the final hides the loot under a cover (e.g….

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Romance scam in Sri Lanka

  3   1

How it works: Opening: a friendly local chats you up and after rapport is built, tells you of a woman (friend/sister/relative, etc) who was horribly treated by a local and…

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Corrupt traffic police in Sri Lanka

  1   1

How it works: An officer flags you down claiming you have committed a traffic offence even if you did not. He offers you a deal, you only have to pay…

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Familiar face scam in Sri Lanka

  1   0

How it works: Opening: a local claims to know you as he works at your hotel (some get this information from your tuk-tuk/taxi driver). Version 1: unofficial guide scam –…

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