Question 1

What is the "Fake Lace Shop & Art Scams" scam in Bruges?

Accepted Answer

Sellers in the historic center and near Beguinage church pose as "authentic lace artisans" or art gallery owners, pressuring tourists to buy overpriced, mass-produced lace and cheap reproductions as "genuine Bruges heirlooms." Prices are 5-10x market value with no option for refund. Buy lace only from established shops with permanent storefronts and verifiable history. Ask for certificate of authenticity. Compare prices across multiple vendors. Avoid impulse purchases from street vendors or pop-up shops near tourist sites.

Question 2

What is the "Phishing via Fake Bruges Tourist Info Websites" scam in Bruges?

Accepted Answer

Clone websites mimicking the official Bruges tourism portal (visitbruges.be) offer fake city cards, canal boat pre-booking, and discount packages, capturing card details for fraudulent use. These sites rank in paid search results and are difficult to distinguish from the official site without checking the URL carefully. Always book Bruges city cards and boat tickets at visitbruges.be or in person at the Historium visitor centre on Markt square. Check the full URL before entering payment details and look for padlock/HTTPS.

Online Scams in Bruges

Fake Lace Shop & Art Scams

Phishing via Fake Bruges Tourist Info Websites

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