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Top travel scams in South America
Snatch thefts in Argentina
6 1How it works: Motochorro (bikes/mopeds): riding past, with a pillion rider doing the snatch. Street, mall, shop, park, transportation hub: distracting and snatching from you, then escaping via a getaway car…
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Sacsayhuaman horse ride scam in Peru
6 0How it works: Opening: on the way up to Sacsayhuaman, touts armed with professional brochures will offer to bring you to all the ruins on a horse tour. Set-up: however,…
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Bird poo scam in Argentina
6 0How it works: Opening: someone bumps and spills mustard/ketchup/chocolate milk/or even a semi-liquid that looks like bird poo onto you. Set-up: next, they or their accomplices will appear and help…
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Hotel double tax scam in Bolivia
6 0How it works: There is a 13% IVA hotel tax in Bolivia. However, hotels only have to pay this for Bolivian guests and not for foreigners. However, there have been…
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Shoe shine scam in Colombia
6 0How it works: Situation: there are plenty of shoe shiners in the cities. Some areas are fine while others are out to scam. Opening: when you enquire about the price,…
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Fake baby alpaca, Inca pottery, silver in Peru
6 0How it works: Version 1: baby alpaca products are commonly faked. Cheap imitations are made with blends of synthetic fibres and brushed acrylic available at very low prices. Version 2:…
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Beach scams in Colombia
6 0How it works: Version 1: a crab seller offers you a crab leg claiming it is a free sample. He will keep forcing you to have more and you will…
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Pelourinho scams in Brazil
6 0How it works: Scam 1: unofficial guides who latch onto you, provided unsolicited advice or directions and then ask for a fee (e.g. 100 real) for their “tour services”. Scam…
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Fraudulent hiking tours in Colombia
6 0How it works: Version 1: rogue guides take you to a remote area and then rob you of your valuables. Version 2: some threaten to leave you in the middle…
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Unlicensed tour operators in Peru
6 0How it works: Situation: Of the ~800+ tour operators in Cusco, a massive 600+ are unlicensed. Set-up: Guides are also not on salary but are compensated on a commission basis…
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