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Spain

31 scams

With superb food, impressive monuments, magnificent churches, medieval towns, beautiful beaches and colourful festivals, what’s not to like about Spain?

However, the country is also home to two pickpocket havens – Barcelona and Madrid, and one has to be careful to avoid petty crime and tourist targeted scams.

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

  • European emergency hotline: 112
  • Ambulance: 061 or 112
  • Fire: 080 or 112
  • Local police: 092
  • Tourist helpline: 902 102 112

Travel guide

  • Spain best hotels
  • Spain best resorts
  • Spain best tours
  • Spain travel guide by About-Spain

Travel safety

  • Spain medical care
  • Spain natural disasters
  • Spain transport safety
  • Spain violent crime, hazards
  • Travel safety gear
Cala d'Hort Beach, Ibiza

Travel scams in Spain

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Crystal Palace, Retiro Park

Bird poo scam in Spain

7 5

How it works: Opening: someone spills a white liquid resembling bird poo on your clothes or jacket. Next, strangers appear to help you clean it. Set-up: while you are distracted,…

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Park Guell

Street pickpockets in Spain

7 14

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…

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Shell game

Pea game scam in Spain

6 2

How it works: Situation: also known as the trilero game, to win, you bet which one of three shells contain a pea (or which of three cups contain a ball),…

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Taxis in Barcelona

Taxi scams in Spain

6 3

How it works: Version 1: charging an inflated flat fare instead of using the meter, or adding bogus surcharges (e.g. luggage fee). Version 2: you hand over a 50 Euros…

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Playa de Maspalomas

String bracelet scam in Spain

6 1

How it works: Opening: a group of African women shakes your hand and begins tying a string around your wrist, seemingly for free and as a sign of friendship. Set-up:…

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Rosemary plant

Rosemary gift scam in Spain

6 4

How it works: Opening: a gypsy woman offers you a small rosemary plant. If you take it, they will grab your palm and pretend to read it like a fortune…

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Royal Palace, Madrid

Petition charity scam in Spain

6 0

How it works: Version 1: you are asked to sign a petition. On the form, you see several other entries (fake – there to make it seem credible). Signing basically…

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Amadores Canary Islands beach

Electronics bait and switch scam in Spain

5 0

How it works: Opening: You may be tempted by shops which advertise electronics (e.g. iPad) at good prices. If you try to buy, you will be asked to fill in…

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Plaza Mayor, Madrid

Snatch thefts in Spain

5 12

How 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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Metro in Madrid

Public transport pickpockets in Spain

5 3

How it works: Situation: pickpockets love to target large, connecting metro stations as they can escape to other lines, as well as lines which tourists frequent. Version 1: one blocks…

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Travelscams.org is the largest community built database of tourist scams and key travel safety issues globally, with 1777 travel scams and 1688 user stories shared on 101 countries.

If you ever wondered how it feels like to glide along the Ganges in India’s holiest City or to trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, just go, as we have you covered on all pitfalls you may face. About us →

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