Other Tourist Scams in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors. Below are the other scams scams reported in Amsterdam — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Mykonos, Barcelona, and Krakow.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
4
Other Scams Scams
10
Total in Amsterdam
How it works
Amsterdam has one of the world's highest bike theft rates. Some informal "rental" services rent bikes that are actually stolen; if police spot the serial number, you may be questioned. Rental deposits are also sometimes non-refundable on spurious grounds.
How it works
Some coffeeshops near the Red Light District and around Leidseplein advertise one price on an outdoor board but charge significantly more at the counter, or sell inferior-quality product labelled as premium. Others sell quantities that weigh out measurably short on arrival, or switch the product entirely between the display and the bag. Tourists unfamiliar with local coffeeshop pricing norms are consistently targeted.
How it works
Rental shops with poor reputations near Centraal Station document pre-existing bike damage poorly, then charge tourists for scratches when the bike is returned. Deposits are withheld entirely.
How it works
Individuals dressed in plain clothes or generic uniforms board trams — most commonly tram lines 1, 2, 5, and 9 near Centraal Station — and present themselves as GVB ticket inspectors. They issue handwritten or unofficial-looking fines of €30–50, demand immediate cash payment, and give the tourist a paper ticket instead of official fine documentation. Legitimate GVB inspectors wear clearly marked uniforms and can only issue official fines payable by card with proper documentation.
See all scams in Amsterdam
10 total warnings across all categories