Other Tourist Scams in Crete, Greece
Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors. Below are the other scams scams reported in Crete — 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
2
Other Scams Scams
11
Total in Crete
How it works
Rental shops in Malia, Hersonissos, and Stalida rent out quad bikes and ATVs with pre-existing scratches and dents that are poorly documented at pickup. When the vehicle is returned, staff claim the damage is new and demand cash payments of €200–€800 on the spot before releasing the customer's passport or credit card imprint. Some operators deliberately send out vehicles with worn tyres or faulty brakes to guarantee a 'damage' claim. Renters who refuse to pay are threatened with police reports.
How it works
Jet ski operators on beaches in Malia, Stalis, and Analipsi approach tourists with very low hourly rates, then stage or exaggerate minor collisions once the tourist is on the water. The operator then demands €300–€2,000 in cash for 'repairs,' threatening to call the police or detain the tourist's belongings if they refuse. In some cases, a boat circles and bumps the jet ski deliberately from outside the tourist's view. The Hellenic Coast Guard has documented this pattern across the north coast of Crete.
See all scams in Crete
11 total warnings across all categories