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Romania
10 scams
The country of Dracula, Romania also offers centuries of folk culture and a uniquely diverse set of landscapes that is unspoiled by mass tourism.
The country is also very safe to visit for tourists, though there are a number of issues 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
Travel resources
Parking scams in Romania
2 0How it works: Unofficial attendants stake out spots in busy areas with scarce free parking. When they see you, they will beckon you to the spot and then charge you…
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Pickpockets in Romania
2 0How 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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Restaurant scams in Romania
2 1How it works: Situation: most food places are fine and there is no need to be paranoid. Generally, it’s just a few shady places or opportunists which dabble in such…
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Snatch thefts in Romania
2 1How it works: Two versions: Strike and run, distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Hotel: theft from hotel rooms. Train: impersonating other passengers or simply breaking into a sleeping booth to…
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Taxi scams in Romania
2 1How it works: Situation: like anywhere in the world, there are both good and bad drivers, and the following are the common tricks shady drivers use in Romania. You may…
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Unlicensed taxis in Romania
2 0How it works: Opening: someone comes up to you and offers to help you with directions claiming that the place is not safe. Eventually, you will be directed to an…
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Charity donation scams in Romania
2 0How it works: Situation: like how you may encounter fake petition/charity touts in other parts of Europe (e.g. France, Italy, Spain), you may encounter such charity touts at train stations…
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Drink spiking in Romania
2 0How it works: Although not that common, there have been cases of drink spiking in the Old Town of Bucharest. However, it is difficult to tell as such cases can…
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Fake police in Romania
2 0How it works: Situation: this is more of a problem in the 1990s than today (rare/isolated cases today), though one still has to know how to react when faced with…
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Money exchange scams in Romania
2 0How it works: Situation: like in other parts of Central/Eastern Europe (e.g. Czech Republic, Turkey), you may encounter shady money exchanges. Set-up: these money changers tend to advertise great rates,…
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