National Park Torres del Paine

Scams in Chile

Fraudulent tour operators in Chile

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How it works: There are fly by night operators or operators whose businesses have already closed down but still collect payments for non-existent trips. Places to beware: Anywhere What to…

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Chile-Peru border card scam in Chile

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How 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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Pirate taxis in Chile

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How it works: Version 1: At airports, you see touts carrying cards with the word “Oficial” or “TAXI” posing as official employees of the airport with official looking taxis. One…

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Currency switcheroo in Chile

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How it works: Version 1: you hand a 10,000 Chilean pesos note over. The cashier/driver swaps it to a 1,000 Chilean peso note, claims that you have confused the two…

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Donation scams in Chile

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How it works: Version 1: a friendly local resident engages you, claiming to be a student at a local private university where fees are expensive. He then gives you a…

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Pickpockets in Chile

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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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Taxi scams in Chile

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How it works: Version 1: all taxis must use the meter except at the airport. However, there are some who will claim that the meter is down and hence charge…

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Restaurant, food stall scams in Chile

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How 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: Version 1: advertising cheap…

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Snatch thefts in Chile

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How it works: Motoclock: snatching your watch/phone/bag, then escaping on a bike. Maletazos: they wait at hotels for you to unload your luggage from a taxi/van. Once you do, they grab…

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Bird poo scam in Chile

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How it works: Opening: A scammer first squirts a substance resembling bird droppings or mustard onto your clothing without you realizing. Next, accomplices point it out to you and attempt…

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