Street Scams in Busan, South Korea
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Busan — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Kyoto, Beijing, and Shanghai.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
3
Street Scams Scams
11
Total in Busan
How it works
At Gamcheon Culture Village in Saha-gu, individuals dressed in traditional hanbok or positioned beside popular painted murals and props offer to take photos with tourists, then demand payment of 5,000–20,000 KRW per photo afterward. The demand comes after the photo is already taken, putting visitors in an uncomfortable position. Some operators also block access to the most photographed alley spots and imply a fee is required to pass.
How it works
Along the Gwangalli Beach promenade and the Millak Waterfront Park bar strip, well-dressed locals approach tourists — often solo travelers or small groups — and invite them for drinks, claiming to want to practice English or show visitors "the real Busan." Once seated at a bar, significantly overpriced drinks are ordered on the tourist's behalf without clear price disclosure, and the friendly local disappears before the bill arrives. Bills of 100,000–300,000 KRW for a short session are commonly reported.
How it works
Umbrella and sunbed vendors on Haeundae Beach charge tourists well above the official beach rates — sometimes double. The overcharge is most common when vendors operate away from the main beach kiosks.
See all scams in Busan
11 total warnings across all categories