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Top travel scams in South America
Ferry day tour scams in Uruguay
6 0How it works: Scam 1: spending a lot more time at shops (where they get a commission) rather than at attractions. Scam 2: having CD (containing Montevideo’s history) peddlers on…
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Fraudulent tour operators in Peru
6 1How it works: Operator overcharges, takes the money upfront, fulfils only part of their obligations and then disappears before the tour is over. Places to beware: Anywhere (e.g. in Puno;…
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Beach shoe shine scam in Brazil
6 0How it works: Opening: someone squirts green/brown goop (or mustard, sunscreen, material that seems dirty and gross) onto your shoes without you realizing. Set-up: next, a shoe shiner offers to…
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Taxis scams in Argentina
6 1How it works: Version 1: rigged meters which jump too fast or too much. Version 2: claiming additional surcharges. Version 3: insists on not using the meter but charging an…
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Pickpockets in Peru
6 2How 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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Unlicensed taxis in Argentina
6 0How it works: Situation: you may encounter a number of unlicensed taxis which look similar to radio taxis at places where tourists go. Set-up: some may be fine but in…
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Snatch thefts in Colombia
6 2How it works: Two versions: strike and run; distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Bike/moped: riding past with a pillion rider doing the snatch. Street, mall, market, shop, park, transportation hub:…
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Playa de Bocagrande food, service scams in Colombia
6 0How it works: Situation: Playa de Bocagrande is packed with vendors but in their midst are also many con artists: Version 1: letting you eat lots of oysters seemingly for…
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Cartagena boat tour scams in Colombia
6 0How it works: Version 1: a boat tour tout claims that you need to pay the full fee upfront as they need to buy gasoline in advance of the trip….
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Currency switcheroo in Argentina
6 0How it works: Version 1: vendor/driver offers to help you check your pesos due to your unfamiliarity. Without you realizing, he swaps your bill with a counterfeit. He then accuses…
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Pickpockets in Brazil
6 0How it works: They work in a gang – at the beach/shops, someone observes where you keep your cash when you pay for something. Local kids are then sent to…
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Uros Floating Islands scams in Peru
6 0How it works: Scam 1: the “locals” here live on the mainland, not on these islands. The house tours conducted here are basically shopping trips to get you to buy…
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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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Chile-Peru border card scam in Chile
6 0How it works: Opening: there are taxi drivers who tell tourists whom they drive to the Peru border that they need to buy an expensive “tourist card”. Set-up: he then…
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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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