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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 number

Police, ambulance, fire: 112
Police (non-emergency): 0900 8844
Tourist Medical Service (ATAS): 020 592 3355

Travel guide

Travel safety

Taxi scams in Netherlands

6 0

How 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…

Junkies in Netherlands

6 0

How 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…

Street pickpockets in Netherlands

6 1

How 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…

Public transport pickpockets in Netherlands

6 0

How 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…

Tulip stands false claims in Netherlands

5 0

How 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…

“Museum” marketing trick in Netherlands

5 0

How 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…

Unlicensed taxis in Netherlands

4 0

How 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…

Fake apartment listings in Netherlands

2 0

How 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…

Fake police in Netherlands

2 0

How 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….