Oceania·Australia·Updated May 3, 2026

Perth Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Australia)

Perth is Australia's most isolated major city and a laid-back tourist destination. Visitors should watch for unlicensed airport taxis, ATM card skimming, spill distraction pickpocketing, fake tour company reviews, and online holiday rental fraud.

Risk Index

6.2

out of 10

Scams

13

documented

High Severity

1

8% of total

6.2

Risk Index

13

Scams

1

High Risk

Perth has 13 documented tourist scams across 8 categories in our database. Scam activity is rated moderate. The most commonly reported risks are Street Drink Spiking in Northbridge, Fake Event Ticket Sales, Charity Clipboard Scam on Hay Street Mall.

Editorially reviewed — sources cross-referenced before publishing. How we verify →

Traveler Context

What Travellers Should Know About Scams in Perth

Perth has 13 documented tourist-targeted scams in our database, concentrated around street scams (3 reports). The most consistently reported individual pattern is Street Drink Spiking in Northbridge — Predatory individuals in Northbridge nightlife district offer free drinks to tourists or slip substances into unattended beverages at busy bars. Travellers familiar with Nadi or Cairns will recognise the broad shape of the risk environment in Oceania, though the specific local variations in Perth are what catch first-time visitors out.

Specific documented risk areas include Northbridge entertainment precinct, Beaufort Street, Lake Street bars and clubs; Social media marketplace listings, Gumtree Perth, local event group pages; Along Hay Street Mall between Barrack Street and Forrest Place in the Perth CBD, and in the adjacent Murray Street Mall near the Perth City entrance. A separate but related pattern is Fake Event Ticket Sales: Scammers posing as official vendors sell tickets to Perth summer festivals, concerts, and sporting events on social media and classified sites at steep discounts. The single most effective protection across these patterns: Never leave drinks unattended. Use buddy system when clubbing. Stick to mainstream venues with visible security. Be cautious of overly friendly strangers offering drinks.

How It Plays OutHigh Risk

Street Drink Spiking in Northbridge

Predatory individuals in Northbridge nightlife district offer free drinks to tourists or slip substances into unattended beverages at busy bars. Victims lose wallets, phones, and become vulnerable to further exploitation.

Northbridge entertainment precinct, Beaufort Street, Lake Street bars and clubs

How to avoid: Never leave drinks unattended. Use buddy system when clubbing. Stick to mainstream venues with visible security. Be cautious of overly friendly strangers offering drinks.

This scam type is also documented in Nadi and Cairns.

Key Risk Areas

Where These Scams Are Most Active

Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents in Perth.

Street Drink Spiking in Northbridge

Other Scams

Northbridge entertainment precinct, Beaufort Street, Lake Street bars and clubs

Fake Event Ticket Sales

Online Scams

Social media marketplace listings, Gumtree Perth, local event group pages

Charity Clipboard Scam on Hay Street Mall

Street Scams

Along Hay Street Mall between Barrack Street and Forrest Place in the Perth CBD, and in the adjacent Murray Street Mall near the Perth City entrance

Northbridge Bar Over-Pour Charge

Restaurant Scams

Northbridge dining and bar strip along James Street and Lake Street, Perth CBD fringe

Airport Unlicensed Taxi Scam

Taxi & Transport

Outside the international and domestic terminals at Perth Airport in Redcliffe, particularly in the unregulated pick-up zone on the roadway outside arrivals.

Rottnest Island Unlicensed Boat Tour Scam

Tour & Activities

Along Barrack Street Jetty between the ferry terminal and the Elizabeth Quay pedestrian bridge, and at the informal parking areas near the Riverside Drive boat launch ramps

These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.

Safety Checklist

Quick Safety Tips for Perth

Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.

  • Never leave drinks unattended. Use buddy system when clubbing. Stick to mainstream venues with visible security. Be cautious of overly friendly strangers offering drinks.
  • Buy only from official venue websites or authorized ticketing platforms (Ticketmaster, Ticketek). Verify seller identity before payment. Avoid cash-only deals.
  • Do not sign any clipboard petition on the street from an unsolicited approacher. If you wish to donate to a charity, do so directly through the charity's official website. Never hand your bank card to a street fundraiser or enter your PIN on their device.
  • Always ask for an itemised receipt and check every line before paying. If a charge looks wrong, question it calmly — genuine venues will correct errors without fuss.
  • Use the official 13cabs or Swan Taxis app, or Uber and DiDi from the airport. Never accept rides from anyone who approaches you proactively outside the terminal. Licensed taxis queue at the designated taxi rank and always use meters.

FAQ

Perth Safety — Frequently Asked Questions

What scams target tourists in Perth?
The most frequently reported tourist scams in Perth are Street Drink Spiking in Northbridge, Fake Event Ticket Sales, Charity Clipboard Scam on Hay Street Mall, with 1 classified as high severity. Most scams operate near transit hubs, tourist attractions, and busy markets. Reviewing each type before you arrive significantly reduces your risk of being targeted. Similar patterns are also documented in Nadi and Cairns.
Are taxis safe in Perth?
Taxis in Perth carry documented risk for tourists — 1 transport-related scam is on record. Use the official 13cabs or Swan Taxis app, or Uber and DiDi from the airport. Never accept rides from anyone who approaches you proactively outside the terminal. Licensed taxis queue at the designated taxi rank and always use meters. Where available, verified ride-hailing apps (Uber, Grab, or local equivalents) are generally safer than street taxis.
Is Perth safe at night for tourists?
Perth is Australia's most isolated major city and a laid-back tourist destination. Visitors should watch for unlicensed airport taxis, ATM card skimming, spill distraction pickpocketing, fake tour company reviews, and online holiday rental fraud. 1 of the 13 documented scams here are rated high severity. After dark, extra caution is advised near Northbridge entertainment precinct, Beaufort Street, Lake Street bars and clubs. Use app-based transport at night and avoid unsolicited approaches from strangers.
Which areas of Perth should tourists be most careful in?
Documented scam activity in Perth is concentrated in high-traffic tourist zones. Based on reported incidents: Northbridge entertainment precinct, Beaufort Street, Lake Street bars and clubs (Street Drink Spiking in Northbridge); Social media marketplace listings, Gumtree Perth, local event group pages (Fake Event Ticket Sales); Along Hay Street Mall between Barrack Street and Forrest Place in the Perth CBD, and in the adjacent Murray Street Mall near the Perth City entrance (Charity Clipboard Scam on Hay Street Mall). These areas are safe to visit — knowing the common setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How can I avoid being scammed in Perth?
The best protection against scams in Perth is preparation — knowing the specific tactics used here before you arrive. Key precautions: Use the official 13cabs or Swan Taxis app, or Uber and DiDi from the airport. Never accept rides from anyone who approaches you proactively outside the terminal. Licensed taxis queue at the designated taxi rank and always use meters. Always confirm prices before agreeing to any service, use official or app-based transport, and slow down if anyone creates urgency or distraction — that is almost always the setup.

Perth · Australia · Oceania

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Editorial note: Scam warnings for Perth are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →