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Greece
23 scams
Greece’s ancient culture has had a significant influence on Western society. It is also a stunning holiday destination with extensive coastlines and islands in the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas.
However, though there are common European tourist targeted scams and pickpockets to watch out for.
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
- Emergency: 112
- Ambulance: 166
- Fire: 199
- Police: 100
- Tourist police: 171
Travel resources
Free rose scam in Greece
9 0How it works: An old gypsy woman or kid offers you a stalk of rose, seemingly for free, but should you take it, money will be demanded. Places to beware:…
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String bracelet scam in Greece
7 1How it works: Version 1: tout asks if if you want a “friendship bracelet”. If you say yes, a string/bracelet will be tied so tightly around your wrist/finger that makes…
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Street pickpockets in Greece
5 6How 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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Ferry ticket touts in Greece
5 0How it works: Opening: a street tout approaches and recommends a friend’s/family member’s tourist agency which is running a promotion on exclusive ferry tickets to a quiet island. Set-up: upon…
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Taxi scams in Greece
5 1How it works: Version 1: claiming the meter is not working and then charging an inflated flat fare. Version 2: using a rigged meter which jumps too fast or too…
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Restaurant, café scams in Greece
5 3How 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. A recent case was a…
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Public transport pickpockets in Greece
3 6How it works: Version 1: one blocks you at the door (ties shoelaces/drops something), another steals from behind and slips to a third who escapes, and one blocks others from…
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Snatch thefts in Greece
3 2How it works: Two versions: strike and run; distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Bike/moped: riding past with a pillion rider doing the snatch. Bar, restaurant: stealing unattended bags/valuables on the…
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Rental motorbike scams in Greece
3 0How it works: Version 1: operators rent out a faulty motorbike. When you return it, a repair fee will be demanded for damages not caused by you. Version 2: you…
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Fake beggars in Greece
3 1How it works: Version 1: at Corfu, you may encounter gypsy beggars carrying (drugged) babies. These are simply part of syndicates who move around Europe to beg. Version 2: a…
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Vacation apartment scams in Greece
3 2How it works: Situation: there are both fake listings on legitimate sites as well as fake sites. Red flags: cheap prices, copy-pasted description, dodgy sounding reviews, difference in photos and…
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Shopping scams in Greece
2 2How it works: Version 1 (fake products): around street markets or touts around tourist attractions, you may find peddlers of fake perfumes, luxury products and electronics like iPhones. Version 2…
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The place is bad/closed scam in Greece
2 0How it works: Version 1: driver claims that your hotel isn’t safe and that he knows somewhere better. That place is generally an expensive, low quality hotel where he gets…
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Blank music CD scam in Greece
2 0How it works: Around the church in the square beside Oia’s Main Street, you may encounter musicians performing and selling €10 music CDs – these are mere blanks. Places to…
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Mount Lycabettus scams in Greece
2 0How it works: Situation: to get to the top, you can take a cable car/teleferica or take a taxi. Version 1: taxi drivers here will try to scam you on…
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