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England
29 scams
Rich in tradition, complex in culture and endlessly diverse, England is one of the most visited places globally.
However, this has also attracted opportunists who perpetuate a bunch of tourist targeted scams (activities and transport) and petty crime (e.g. snatch thefts, pickpockets) to be wary of.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency numbers
- Ambulance, fire, police: 999 or 112
Travel resources
Fake theatre and event tickets in England
6 3How it works: Version 1: ticket touts outside theatres concert grounds sell tickets claiming it’s in the VIP zone and charge accordingly, when it is not. Version 2: selling fake tickets….
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Fake deals websites in England
6 1How it works: There have been fake sites, such as UKGroupDeals dot com which was exposed in 2017 for selling non-existent tickets to tourist attractions at dirt cheap prices. This is…
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Ball and cup scam in England
6 2How it works: Opening: To win, you bet which one of three cups contain a ball (or three shells containing a pea; or three cards containing a queen), after they…
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Italian suit scam in England
5 1How it works: Opening: a smartly-dressed Italian man in his car approaches to ask for directions to the airport. Version 1: he claims to be a manager at Giorgio Armani,…
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Rickshaw, pedicab, tuk-tuk scams in England
5 0How it works: There have been reports of rogue rickshaw, pedicab, and tuk tuk drivers fleecing tourists of hundreds of pounds for a ride that lasts a few minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq9VWYXjuiM&t=13s…
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Fake charity collectors in England
5 0How it works: Version 1: scammers who pose as students seeking donations for a sham charity on the streets and some go door to door. Version 2: giving you a…
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Fake sightseeing bus tickets in England
5 0How it works: You may encounter touts offering tickets for a sightseeing bus at Trafalgar Square. The tickets may look legitimate but are in reality not tagged to any company…
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Street pickpockets in England
4 2How it works: Version 1: they work in a gang – one onlooker, one blocks, pushes, distracts, or engages you, one grabs and the final hides the loot under a…
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Snatch thefts in England
3 0How it works: Two versions: strike and run; distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Bike, bicycle: ride past with a pillion rider snatching your phone or bag. London’s shopping streets, especially…
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Public transport pickpockets in England
3 0How it works: Version 1: at the doors of the tube, there are pickpockets who strike and escape just before the doors close. Version 2: reverse scenario – a thief…
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Fraudulent travel agents in England
3 0How it works: Situation 1: There are fly by night agents who disappear after collecting payment for non-existent tours. One such scammer was Jonathan Richman who was able to do…
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Taxi scams in England
2 0How it works: Situation: drivers here are generally honest and meters are tamper proof. However, there are still some tricks. Version 1: taking a longer route/detour to inflate the fare…
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Fake West End vouchers in England
2 0How it works: There have been reports of tourists buying a book of vouchers that offer half price/a 1 for 1 deal at West End restaurants. Try using them however…
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Fake monks in England
2 1How it works: Version 1: they “bless” you with a gold token/amulet/wooden bracelet, seemingly for free and then demand a donation. Version 2: they show you a clipboard, seemingly for…
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Bike thefts in England
2 0How it works: Source: as kindly contributed by Mygdal Racing Situation: every year, over 50,000 tourists from all over the world (e.g. Australia, Germany, Spain, etc) attend the Isle of…
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