Menu
Netherlands
25 scams
The Netherlands boasts a wealth of cultural heritage and you can also find picturesque windmills, colourful tulips, famous painters, canals and more!
Although the country is generally safe, there are some unsavoury characters like junkies, petty crime as well as tourist targeted scams 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
- Police, ambulance, fire: 112
- Police (non-emergency): 0900 8844
- Tourist Medical Service (ATAS): 020 592 3355
Travel resources
Street pickpockets in Netherlands
6 1How 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…
Read more…
Public transport pickpockets in Netherlands
6 0How 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…
Read more…
Taxi scams in Netherlands
6 0How it works: Version 1: “forgetting” to turn on the meter then charging an inflated fare at the end. A tourist was charged EUR 980 for a trip from Schiphol…
Read more…
Junkies in Netherlands
6 0How it works: Junkies: touts who hang around red light districts selling drugs and stolen items (e.g. bikes). Legal problem: you can get caught in the fake police scam or…
Read more…
“Museum” marketing trick in Netherlands
5 0How it works: Situation: not technically a scam, but a borderline one due to the intention to mislead. Opening: you may encounter small shops with the word “museum” in their…
Read more…
Tulip stands false claims in Netherlands
4 0How it works: Version 1: tulip bulbs can only be grown in the Autumn, but some vendors falsely claim that these can grow anytime of the year. Version 2: mislabeling…
Read more…
Unlicensed taxis in Netherlands
4 0How it works: Situation: In 2018, the Human Environment and Transport inspectorate estimated that in Amsterdam alone, there were over 20 illegal taxi companies with each having 20-100 taxis. Version…
Read more…
Snatch thefts in Netherlands
2 0How it works: Two versions: strike and run; distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Bar, restaurant: stealing unattended bags/valuables on the chair or table; laying a map over valuables on the…
Read more…
Spiked cookies/drinks in Netherlands
2 1How it works: Strangers offer you free cookies/drinks at a nightclub or bar that has been spiked with GHB. Once you are knocked out, you will be robbed or sexually…
Read more…
Car break-ins in Netherlands
2 0How it works: The most common theft in Netherlands is theft from cars, followed by bicycle thefts. There are criminals who target rental vehicles. If they spot exposed valuables or…
Read more…
Hotel touts in Netherlands
2 0How it works: There are a number of hotel touts around who will offer you good rates made up on the spot. Once you head to the suggested place, you…
Read more…
Restaurant, food stall scams in Netherlands
2 0How 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. Set-up: not listing prices in…
Read more…
Fake apartment listings in Netherlands
2 0How it works: Situation: there are both fake listings on legitimate sites as well as fake sites. Note that listings on Craigslist, Marktplaats and FaceBook ads are not the most…
Read more…
Fake police in Netherlands
2 0How it works: Scammers posing as fake cops accuse you of possessing drugs or counterfeit currency. You are then asked to pay a fine on the spot with no receipt….
Read more…
Product swap shopping scam in Netherlands
2 0How it works: After you pay for an item, it is brought out of sight under the guise of wrapping it up. What really happens is that it may be…
Read more…