Menu
Top travel scams in South America
Would you like a drink bar scam in Brazil
3 0How it works: Version 1: a stranger asks you for directions, then suggest drinks together at a specific bar. There, girls will join you and get drinks at inflated prices…
Read more…
Restaurant scams in Peru
3 2How it works: Situation: most food places are fine, it’s generally just a few bad eggs around touristy areas that spoil it for the rest. Set-up: advertising cheap rates, free…
Read more…
Unlicensed taxis in Ecuador
3 0How it works: Overcharging: quoting an inflated fare or rigged meter. Express kidnappings (specifically Guayaquil): driver takes you to a remote area to pick up armed accomplices. You are then…
Read more…
Price quote scams in Colombia
3 0How it works: Like in most flea markets in developing countries, items sold at markets in Colombia generally do not have clearly labeled prices. As a tourist, you will probably…
Read more…
Fake goods in Colombia
3 0How it works: Situation: Colombia produces a huge number of fake goods. Version 1: fake Cuban cigars containing tobacco waste or grass clippings are often sold on the streets (e.g….
Read more…
Illegal flanelinhas in Brazil
3 0How it works: Situation: these unofficial parking attendants, otherwise known as illegal “flanelinhas”, wait around empty parking lots to direct you in. Set-up: they then demand a fee for helping…
Read more…
Sob story scammers in Ecuador
3 0How it works: The sob story varies but is usually about some illness, injury or alleged robbery and then asking if you can spare some change for him to take…
Read more…
Peru-Chile border crossing scam in Peru
3 0How it works: Touts here will tell you that you need a ‘tourist card’ in order to cross the border and offer to buy this for you. In reality, no…
Read more…
Taxi scams in Brazil
3 1How it works: Version 1: not using the meter and charging an inflated flat fare. Version 2: rigging the meter to jump too fast or too much. Version 3: taking…
Read more…
Street pickpockets in Argentina
3 0How it works: Situation: based on a survey, Buenos Aires has been ranked as one of the top 10 cities globally with the most pickpockets cases. Version 1: they work…
Read more…