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Hungary
19 scams
There is much to explore in Hungary, with its lively capital of Budapest dotted with vibrant bars and ornate architecture, as well as the mighty Danube River and Great Hungarian Plains out of the city!
However, there are some common European scams and petty crime 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
- European emergency number: 112
- Police: 107
- Ambulance: 104
- Fire: 105
Travel resources
Szechenyi Baths flip flop tout scam in Hungary
6 2How it works: Opening: outside the Szechenyi Baths, you may encounter touts who lie to you that flip flops are compulsory inside and buying one inside is expensive. Both claims…
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Would you like a drink bar scam in Hungary
4 0How it works: Opening: several young women will engage you by asking for a light for a cigarette or asking for directions. They start chatting and ask if you want…
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Restaurant, food stall, bar scams in Hungary
4 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. Opening: street touts pass you…
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Fake merchandise in Hungary
4 2How it works: Version 1: there have been reports of fake products at Central Market Hall and even fake food at supermarkets! Version 2: fake luxury products sold at street…
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Money changer scams in Hungary
3 0How it works: Situation: money changers here do not have a very good reputation: Version 1: a common trick is to give old bank notes which are no longer legal…
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Street touts in Hungary
3 0How it works: A street tout approaches and offers an iPhone at a cheap price. He claims to have won it and has no use for it, or is selling…
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“Hyena” taxi scams in Hungary
2 0How it works: Situation: in Budapest, there are a few hundreds of drivers who have no permit and use rented license plates. Set-up: not all, but some wait around tourist…
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Fake police in Hungary
2 0How it works: Version 1: scammers posing as police officers ask for your passport, ID and wallet. If you pass it to them, they will simply run off with it….
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Ball and cup scam in Hungary
2 0How it works: Opening: Also known as the shell game, the dealer has three cups and under one of them is a ball. The dealer first shows where it is,…
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Pickpockets in Hungary
2 1How 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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Rosemary gift scam in Hungary
2 0How it works: Opening: usually perpetrated by an older gypsy woman, she will offer you a sprig of rosemary, claiming this is for ‘friendship’ or ‘good luck’. Set-up: if you…
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Vacation rental apartment scam in Hungary
2 1How it works: Situation: not a scam that is unique to Hungary as this happens all over the world as it is so easy and so lucrative to execute. Set-up…
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Fake train ticket inspector in Hungary
1 0How it works: Opening: on the tram, fake train inspectors will target foreigners when doing their ticket check. Set-up: they demand you get off the tram and after getting off,…
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Currency confusion scam in Hungary
1 1How it works: Version 1: a cab driver/vendor/money changer returns invalid Hungarian banknotes to you as change. Version 2: a cab driver/vendor/money changer returns lower value foreign currencies that look…
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Spiked drinks in Hungary
1 0How it works: When you visit a club, you might fall victim to a drink spiked with a sedative. One of the dancers sees that you are feeling unwell and…
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