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Top travel scams in Oceania
Sob story scammers in New Zealand
2 0How it works: You may encounter someone who claims to have been robbed or have a family member sent to hospital. He/she then asks if you can spare some money…
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Taxi scams in Australia
2 0How it works: Version 1: drivers claim that the meter is down, and charge you an inflated flat fare. In fact, in Jan 2019, two tourists were charged $887 for…
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Paddy’s Market Chinese massage scam in Australia
2 0How it works: Opening: here, pushy Chinese touts will tempt you with the offer of a free massage or a massage at just $10. Set-up: however, once you agree and…
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Cairns Night Markets massage scams in Australia
2 0How it works: Version 1: quoting $15 for a 45 minutes massage, but stopping after 15-30 minutes. Another trick is to leave your feet in a basin of water for…
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Italian suit scam in Australia
2 0How it works: Opening: a well-dressed Italian man approaches while in his car to ask for directions. Next, he claims to be a manager at Giorgio Armani and has excess…
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Fake events ticket scam in Australia
2 0How it works: There have been reports of fake tickets being peddled for popular events, such as the Listen Out Music Festival in Melbourne in 2018 or the Australian Open….
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Pickpockets in Australia
2 0How 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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Fake honey products in Australia
2 0How it works: Situation: In October 2018, researchers from Macquarie University published a report around this issue in the Nature Journal, Scientific Reports. Note: honey products are the third most…
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Taxi scam in New Zealand
2 0How it works: Situation: since the deregulation of the taxi industry in New Zealand in 2017, there are now drivers who operate as independents using old signs of a now…
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Online vehicle sales scam in Australia
2 0How it works: Backpackers/tourists who look to sell their vehicles (e.g. camper vans, trailers, motorbikes, etc) as their trip ends are likely to face this. Should you put up an…
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White van speaker scam in Australia
1 0How it works: Opening: scammers, in groups of 3, drive around in a van posing as from a company. They approach you and claim that due to a corporate error…
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White van speaker scam in New Zealand
1 0How it works: Opening: scammers in groups of 3 pose as workers of a company and drive a van around. They approach you and explain that due to a corporate…
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Pickpockets in New Zealand
1 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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Rogue tour operators in Australia
1 1How it works: Version 1: The Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources found that Chinese tourists were being ripped off by shady tour operators who exploit their unfamiliarity with English….
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