Worldwide Guide
Other Tourist Scams to Know About — Worldwide Warning Guide
Other Tourist Scams are documented across 490 destinations worldwide in our database, with 793 verified reports. Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors. 21% of documented other scams scams are rated high severity. Most incidents fall in the moderate range, causing inconvenience and moderate financial loss. Europe has the highest concentration of documented other scams scams (218 incidents across 143 destinations), followed by North America (144 incidents). Valparaíso leads with 9 documented other scams scams — the highest of any single destination.
Scams Documented
793
Destinations Affected
490
High Severity
170
Regions Affected
13
How Other Tourist Scams Work — Fake Police, Timeshares, and Miscellaneous Fraud
The scams that do not fit neatly into transport, hospitality, or financial categories tend to share one characteristic: they leverage authority, urgency, or moral pressure in ways that are harder to resist than a simple overcharge. Fake police, charity fraud, and timeshare pressure tactics all exploit the tourist's unfamiliarity with local norms, their reluctance to create a scene in a foreign country, and their uncertainty about what is legally required of them.
Fake police are documented across Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. The setup involves one or two individuals in uniform — sometimes genuine-looking, sometimes obviously costume — approaching a tourist and claiming to conduct a routine check for counterfeit currency or drug possession. The tourist's wallet is taken for "inspection" and cash is removed, or the tourist is told they face arrest and offered the option to pay a fine on the spot. Legitimate police officers do not conduct street-level currency checks or offer cash alternatives to formal arrest. If approached, the correct response is to insist on visiting the nearest police station.
Timeshare fraud is documented most heavily in Mexican beach resorts — Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Playa del Carmen. Tourists are approached with offers of free gifts, tours, or meals in exchange for attending a "short presentation." The presentation is a high-pressure sales environment that can last several hours and involves multiple closers, manufactured urgency, and prices that bear no relationship to actual market value. Signing anything in this context is the primary risk; tourist timeshare contracts in Mexico are notoriously difficult to exit.
Charity impersonators operate in high-traffic tourist areas across Europe, particularly Paris, Amsterdam, and London. Individuals, often in organized teams, approach tourists with clipboards claiming to collect donations for a legitimate charity. The charities named are either fabricated or real organizations with which the collectors have no affiliation. Cash collected is retained by the operators. Legitimate charities do not collect cash donations on public streets from unsolicited approaches.
Gem and investment scams follow a common pattern: a friendly local introduces the tourist to a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to purchase gemstones, art, or other goods at below-market rates and resell them at home for significant profit. The goods are either worthless or counterfeit, and the resale market the operator describes does not exist. This scam is documented most heavily in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Turkey.
How serious are other scams scams?
Other Tourist Scams Worldwide
The most frequently reported other scams scams across all destinations, ranked by severity and frequency score.
Con artists posing as plainclothes police officers approach tourists on the Metro or near major landmarks, flash a fake or real-looking badge, and demand to inspect wallets, phones, or bags for "counterfeit currency." Accomplices watch nearby and distract or block exits while cash and cards are stolen or switched. Victims are often too intimidated to refuse. Multiple TripAdvisor threads and the US State Department advisory confirm this as an active and ongoing scam in Paris.
How to avoid it
Real French police (Police Nationale) always wear uniforms when stopping members of the public on the street or Metro. If someone in plainclothes claims to be police, insist on going to the nearest police station (commissariat) to resolve any issue. Never hand over your wallet — offer only your passport or ID card. Call 17 if you feel threatened.
Criminals deliberately puncture the tire of a rental vehicle — often while it is parked at a viewpoint, petrol station, or roadside stop — then wait nearby. When the driver notices the flat tire and exits the vehicle, one person approaches offering help while an accomplice steals belongings left inside. The US State Department, UK FCDO, and Canadian Government all document this pattern in Valparaíso and Santiago. Rental cars are specifically targeted because they are easy to identify and often contain luggage and electronics.
How to avoid it
Never leave bags or valuables visible in a parked rental car. If approached by strangers offering help with a breakdown, keep the vehicle locked until you have secured all belongings. Call your rental company before accepting any roadside assistance.
Express kidnapping — known locally as sequestro relâmpago — involves criminals forcing a tourist or visitor into a vehicle at knifepoint or gunpoint and driving them to one or more ATMs to withdraw the daily maximum before releasing them. The UK FCDO and U.S. State Department both explicitly name Salvador in advisories warning of this crime type, and it is documented across major Brazilian cities. A newer variant called flash kidnapping involves forcing the victim to send large sums via Brazil's Pix instant transfer app rather than visiting an ATM, making the theft harder to reverse.
How to avoid it
Never resist if confronted — comply and prioritize personal safety over cash. Carry only small amounts of cash daily and set a low daily ATM withdrawal limit on your card before traveling. Avoid using ATMs or walking alone after dark, particularly around Pelourinho's perimeter streets and the Barra neighborhood after late evening. Inform your bank of your travel plans so unusual withdrawal patterns trigger alerts.
During Kölner Karneval (Cologne Carnival) in February, the city center becomes one of Europe's densest street party environments, with hundreds of thousands in costume. Pickpockets operate freely in the crowds along Zülpicher Strasse, the Altstadt, and the Heumarkt. Drink spiking incidents in the bars and clubs of the Bermuda-Dreieck triangle have been reported by local police each year during the main carnival days.
How to avoid it
Wear a money belt under your costume and carry only small amounts of cash. Attend with a group and establish a meeting point in case of separation. Never accept drinks from strangers, and keep your glass covered when not drinking. The official Cologne Carnival app provides safe location guidance.
In November 2024, six tourists died and several others were hospitalised after consuming suspected methanol-laced alcohol in Vang Vieng, triggering government travel advisories from the US, Australia, Canada, and Denmark. Methanol is an industrial chemical sometimes substituted for ethanol in bootleg spirits to increase potency or cut costs. Victims were offered free shots at a backpacker hostel before falling ill; early symptoms resemble ordinary intoxication, making the poisoning hard to detect until it progresses. As little as 60ml of methanol can be fatal, and the substance is colourless and tasteless.
How to avoid it
Avoid free shots or drinks of unknown origin at hostels and bars. Purchase alcohol only from licensed liquor stores, reputable hotels, or sealed bottles from recognisable brands. Never consume homemade spirits, unlabelled local vodka or whisky (particularly products branded as Tiger vodka or generic local spirits), and inspect any bottle seal for signs of tampering before drinking.
Female criminals approach male tourists in bars, clubs, or via dating apps and build a romantic connection before spiking drinks or food with sedatives. The victim is then robbed of cash, cards, and valuables — often in their own hotel room. The US State Department issued a specific warning about this tactic in February 2025, noting around 40 reported cases in Rio de Janeiro in 2024 alone. Victims often wake with no memory of the crime and discover bank accounts drained via mobile transfers.
How to avoid it
Never leave your drink unattended and refuse food or drinks brought by someone you just met. Use only official taxi apps to reach your accommodation, do not invite new acquaintances to your hotel room, and share your plans and location with a trusted contact before any evening out.
Corrupt police officers or individuals impersonating police officers stop foreign tourists — particularly Americans — on foot or in vehicles and claim they have committed a minor infraction such as jaywalking, open container violations, or traffic offenses. The interaction escalates to a demand for an on-the-spot cash "fine" to avoid arrest. Victims who resist may be threatened with detention. This is one of the most consistently reported scams in Tijuana.
How to avoid it
Do not carry large amounts of cash. If stopped, remain calm, ask for the officer's name and badge number, and request to be taken to the nearest police station to pay any fine officially. Do not hand over cash on the street. Knowing your rights and refusing to pay on the spot often causes officers to back down. Travel in groups and stay on well-lit tourist streets.
Drink spiking has been documented in Wroclaw bars and clubs, particularly in the nightlife district around Rynek and Ulica Swidnicka. Victims typically have their drinks spiked when left unattended or accept drinks from strangers, then become incapacitated and are robbed of phones, wallets, and cards. The US State Department and UK FCDO both flag this pattern as an ongoing risk in Polish nightlife, and Wroclaw's booming stag party tourism makes it a particularly active market for this tactic.
How to avoid it
Never leave your drink unattended, even briefly. Decline drinks offered by strangers or new acquaintances. If you feel suddenly dizzy, nauseous, or more intoxicated than expected, alert bar staff or a trusted companion immediately and do not leave alone.
Where other scams scams concentrate
Regions ranked by total documented other scams incidents. Higher counts typically reflect higher tourist volume.
Europe
143 destinations · 49 high severity
218
incidents
North America
92 destinations · 27 high severity
144
incidents
Southeast Asia
54 destinations · 22 high severity
95
incidents
South America
37 destinations · 37 high severity
72
incidents
Sub-Saharan Africa
24 destinations · 5 high severity
47
incidents
Middle East
25 destinations · 1 high severity
38
incidents
Caribbean
23 destinations · 6 high severity
38
incidents
South Asia
25 destinations · 9 high severity
37
incidents
East Asia
23 destinations · 6 high severity
35
incidents
North Africa
19 destinations · 1 high severity
31
incidents
Oceania
14 destinations · 1 high severity
25
incidents
Central America
7 destinations · 3 high severity
9
incidents
Central Asia
4 destinations · 3 high severity
4
incidents
Common red flags for other scams scams
These warning signs appear across multiple destinations and scam variants in this category. Recognising any of these should trigger caution.
cash-only transaction
no receipt offered
rapid onset of disorientation inconsistent with alcohol consumed
memory gaps after a night out
drink accepted from a stranger
pressure to decide quickly
drink tastes unusually bitter or chemical
price drops significantly when you hesitate
Where Other Tourist Scams Occur
Other Tourist Scams have been reported in 490 destinations. Click any to see the full scam list.
Valparaíso
Chile
9 scams
Salvador
Brazil
8 scams
Tijuana
Mexico
8 scams
Hamburg
Germany
6 scams
Accra
Ghana
6 scams
Vang Vieng
Laos
5 scams
Lagos
Nigeria
5 scams
Koh Samui
Thailand
5 scams
Buenos Aires
Argentina
5 scams
Corfu
Greece
5 scams
Seoul
South Korea
5 scams
Kampot
Cambodia
4 scams
Koh Phangan
Thailand
4 scams
Fez
Morocco
4 scams
Amsterdam
Netherlands
4 scams
Las Vegas
USA
4 scams
Tokyo
Japan
4 scams
Ibiza
Spain
4 scams
Cabo San Lucas
Mexico
4 scams
Tel Aviv
Israel
4 scams
Cinque Terre
Italy
4 scams
Abu Dhabi
UAE
3 scams
Mykonos
Greece
3 scams
Cannes
France
3 scams
Cape Town
South Africa
3 scams
Wroclaw
Poland
3 scams
Bali
Indonesia
3 scams
Koh Tao
Thailand
3 scams
Cairo
Egypt
3 scams
Istanbul
Turkey
3 scams
Cozumel
Mexico
3 scams
Punta Cana
Dominican Republic
3 scams
Lloret de Mar
Spain
3 scams
Dubai
UAE
3 scams
Sharm El Sheikh
Egypt
3 scams
Puerto Vallarta
Mexico
3 scams
Bogotá
Colombia
3 scams
Florence
Italy
3 scams
Cali
Colombia
3 scams
Montego Bay
Jamaica
3 scams
Glasgow
United Kingdom
3 scams
Valencia
Spain
3 scams
Kathmandu
Nepal
3 scams
Paphos
Cyprus
3 scams
Siargao
Philippines
3 scams
Cusco
Peru
3 scams
Merida
Mexico
3 scams
Salou
Spain
3 scams
Macao
China
3 scams
Batam
Indonesia
3 scams
Queenstown
New Zealand
3 scams
Nairobi
Kenya
3 scams
Medellín
Colombia
3 scams
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
3 scams
San Juan
Puerto Rico
3 scams
Fort Lauderdale
USA
3 scams
Hanoi
Vietnam
3 scams
Kochi
India
3 scams
Udaipur
India
3 scams
Gatlinburg
USA
3 scams
Palawan
Philippines
3 scams
Diani Beach
Kenya
3 scams
Paris
France
2 scams
Rome
Italy
2 scams
Calgary
Canada
2 scams
Goa
India
2 scams
Marrakech
Morocco
2 scams
Pattaya
Thailand
2 scams
Koh Lanta
Thailand
2 scams
Lisbon
Portugal
2 scams
Cancun
Mexico
2 scams
Chefchaouen
Morocco
2 scams
Magaluf
Spain
2 scams
Kandy
Sri Lanka
2 scams
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
2 scams
Barcelona
Spain
2 scams
Mexico City
Mexico
2 scams
Puerto Morelos
Mexico
2 scams
Kansas City
USA
2 scams
Phuket
Thailand
2 scams
Gdansk
Poland
2 scams
Kavos
Greece
2 scams
Pai
Thailand
2 scams
Scottsdale
USA
2 scams
Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic
2 scams
Johannesburg
South Africa
2 scams
Rotorua
New Zealand
2 scams
Philadelphia
USA
2 scams
Crete
Greece
2 scams
Myrtle Beach
USA
2 scams
San Antonio
USA
2 scams
Venice
Italy
2 scams
Alanya
Turkey
2 scams
Hurghada
Egypt
2 scams
Casablanca
Morocco
2 scams
Sunny Beach
Bulgaria
2 scams
Boracay
Philippines
2 scams
Prague
Czech Republic
2 scams
Hammamet
Tunisia
2 scams
Mombasa
Kenya
2 scams
Osaka
Japan
2 scams
Livingstone
Zambia
2 scams
Marseille
France
2 scams
Montreal
Canada
2 scams
Benidorm
Spain
2 scams
Denver
USA
2 scams
Cebu
Philippines
2 scams
Marbella
Spain
2 scams
Key West
USA
2 scams
Lombok
Indonesia
2 scams
Luang Prabang
Laos
2 scams
Ayia Napa
Cyprus
2 scams
Boston
USA
2 scams
Kos Town
Greece
2 scams
Rishikesh
India
2 scams
Gili Islands
Indonesia
2 scams
Chamonix
France
2 scams
Amritsar
India
2 scams
Tamarindo
Costa Rica
2 scams
St. Petersburg
Russia
2 scams
Faliraki
Greece
2 scams
Perth
Australia
2 scams
Palm Springs
USA
2 scams
Bodrum
Turkey
2 scams
San Pedro
Belize
2 scams
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
2 scams
Mendoza
Argentina
2 scams
Antigua Guatemala
Guatemala
2 scams
Bilbao
Spain
2 scams
Tulum
Mexico
2 scams
Colombo
Sri Lanka
2 scams
Krakow
Poland
2 scams
Madrid
Spain
2 scams
Bávaro
Dominican Republic
2 scams
Atlanta
USA
2 scams
Auckland
New Zealand
2 scams
Cartagena
Colombia
2 scams
Galapagos Islands
Ecuador
2 scams
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
2 scams
La Fortuna
Costa Rica
2 scams
Petra
Jordan
2 scams
Sint Maarten / St. Martin
Sint Maarten / St. Martin
2 scams
Batumi
Georgia
2 scams
Quito
Ecuador
2 scams
Guangzhou
China
2 scams
Innsbruck
Austria
2 scams
Wellington
New Zealand
2 scams
Nadi
Fiji
2 scams
Sydney
Australia
2 scams
Nashville
USA
2 scams
Isfahan
Iran
2 scams
Machu Picchu
Peru
2 scams
Providenciales
Turks and Caicos
2 scams
Florianópolis
Brazil
2 scams
Torremolinos
Spain
2 scams
Willemstad
Curacao
2 scams
Varadero
Cuba
2 scams
Porto
Portugal
2 scams
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
2 scams
Abidjan
Côte d'Ivoire
2 scams
Salt Lake City
USA
2 scams
Kelowna
Canada
2 scams
São Paulo
Brazil
2 scams
Vientiane
Laos
2 scams
Nassau
Bahamas
2 scams
Roatan
Honduras
2 scams
Bocas del Toro
Panama
2 scams
Ocho Rios
Jamaica
2 scams
Playa del Carmen
Mexico
2 scams
Mandalay
Myanmar
2 scams
Guadalajara
Mexico
2 scams
Melbourne
Australia
2 scams
Port Louis
Mauritius
2 scams
Berlin
Germany
2 scams
Ios
Greece
2 scams
Taipei
Taiwan
2 scams
Gran Canaria
Spain
2 scams
Bordeaux
France
2 scams
Tahiti
French Polynesia
2 scams
Jasper
Canada
2 scams
Puerto Escondido
Mexico
2 scams
Byblos
Lebanon
2 scams
Maldives
Maldives
2 scams
Birmingham
United Kingdom
2 scams
Maputo
Mozambique
2 scams
Utila
Honduras
2 scams
Brisbane
Australia
2 scams
Punta del Este
Uruguay
2 scams
Tbilisi
Georgia
2 scams
Lake Como
Italy
2 scams
Tirana
Albania
2 scams
Bath
United Kingdom
2 scams
Minneapolis
USA
2 scams
Liverpool
United Kingdom
2 scams
Munich
Germany
2 scams
Edmonton
Canada
2 scams
Lamu
Kenya
2 scams
Aswan
Egypt
1 scam
Cologne
Germany
1 scam
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
1 scam
Krabi
Thailand
1 scam
Tenerife
Spain
1 scam
Havana
Cuba
1 scam
San Francisco
USA
1 scam
Koh Chang
Thailand
1 scam
Austin
USA
1 scam
Napa
USA
1 scam
Antalya
Turkey
1 scam
Mui Ne
Vietnam
1 scam
Flores
Indonesia
1 scam
Algarve
Portugal
1 scam
Rhodes
Greece
1 scam
Pittsburgh
USA
1 scam
Kona
USA
1 scam
Kauai
USA
1 scam
Chiang Rai
Thailand
1 scam
Hvar
Croatia
1 scam
Jaipur
India
1 scam
Palermo
Italy
1 scam
Phu Quoc
Vietnam
1 scam
Milan
Italy
1 scam
Budapest
Hungary
1 scam
Geneva
Switzerland
1 scam
Nha Trang
Vietnam
1 scam
Jerusalem
Israel
1 scam
Bagan
Myanmar
1 scam
Santorini
Greece
1 scam
Varna
Bulgaria
1 scam
Kolkata
India
1 scam
Chicago
USA
1 scam
Agadir
Morocco
1 scam
Jodhpur
India
1 scam
Manchester
United Kingdom
1 scam
Lanzarote
Spain
1 scam
Da Lat
Vietnam
1 scam
New Delhi
India
1 scam
Hong Kong
China
1 scam
Bangkok
Thailand
1 scam
Puno
Peru
1 scam
Trinidad
Cuba
1 scam
Jeddah
Saudi Arabia
1 scam
Okinawa
Japan
1 scam
Maui
USA
1 scam
Charlotte
USA
1 scam
Jeju Island
South Korea
1 scam
Playa de las Americas
Spain
1 scam
Cappadocia
Turkey
1 scam
Amalfi Coast
Italy
1 scam
Golden Sands
Bulgaria
1 scam
Sapa
Vietnam
1 scam
Albufeira
Portugal
1 scam
Bologna
Italy
1 scam
Cambridge
United Kingdom
1 scam
Hua Hin
Thailand
1 scam
Savannah
USA
1 scam
Sedona
USA
1 scam
Oxford
United Kingdom
1 scam
Budva
Montenegro
1 scam
Shanghai
China
1 scam
Dubrovnik
Croatia
1 scam
Arequipa
Peru
1 scam
Riga
Latvia
1 scam
Mumbai
India
1 scam
Honolulu
USA
1 scam
Porto Seguro
Brazil
1 scam
Zanzibar
Tanzania
1 scam
Penang
Malaysia
1 scam
Singapore
Singapore
1 scam
Bratislava
Slovakia
1 scam
El Nido
Philippines
1 scam
Beijing
China
1 scam
Windhoek
Namibia
1 scam
Split
Croatia
1 scam
Agra
India
1 scam
Thessaloniki
Greece
1 scam
Niagara Falls
Canada
1 scam
Tangier
Morocco
1 scam
London
United Kingdom
1 scam
Siem Reap
Cambodia
1 scam
Ninh Binh
Vietnam
1 scam
Halong Bay
Vietnam
1 scam
Muscat
Oman
1 scam
Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands
1 scam
Los Angeles
USA
1 scam
Seville
Spain
1 scam
Yerevan
Armenia
1 scam
Warsaw
Poland
1 scam
Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
1 scam
Hue
Vietnam
1 scam
Corfu Town
Greece
1 scam
Varanasi
India
1 scam
Arusha
Tanzania
1 scam
Mazatlan
Mexico
1 scam
Washington DC
USA
1 scam
Santiago
Chile
1 scam
San Sebastian
Spain
1 scam
Jesolo
Italy
1 scam
Anaheim
USA
1 scam
Zadar
Croatia
1 scam
Lefkada
Greece
1 scam
Valladolid
Mexico
1 scam
Skiathos
Greece
1 scam
Ottawa
Canada
1 scam
Cairns
Australia
1 scam
Destin
USA
1 scam
Belgrade
Serbia
1 scam
Fukuoka
Japan
1 scam
Aruba
Aruba
1 scam
Montañita
Ecuador
1 scam
Helsinki
Finland
1 scam
Hyderabad
India
1 scam
Langkawi
Malaysia
1 scam
Copenhagen
Denmark
1 scam
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia
1 scam
Bengaluru
India
1 scam
Panama City Beach
USA
1 scam
Halifax
Canada
1 scam
Shenzhen
China
1 scam
Vilnius
Lithuania
1 scam
Puerto Plata
Dominican Republic
1 scam
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
1 scam
St. Lucia
St. Lucia
1 scam
Limassol
Cyprus
1 scam
Baku
Azerbaijan
1 scam
Manaus
Brazil
1 scam
Oaxaca
Mexico
1 scam
Blackpool
United Kingdom
1 scam
Uyuni
Bolivia
1 scam
Alexandria
Egypt
1 scam
Zagreb
Croatia
1 scam
Yogyakarta
Indonesia
1 scam
Sihanoukville
Cambodia
1 scam
Foz do Iguaçu
Brazil
1 scam
Tunis
Tunisia
1 scam
Guayaquil
Ecuador
1 scam
Kampala
Uganda
1 scam
Eilat
Israel
1 scam
Phoenix
USA
1 scam
Skopje
North Macedonia
1 scam
Athens
Greece
1 scam
Tallinn
Estonia
1 scam
Oslo
Norway
1 scam
Valletta
Malta
1 scam
Manila
Philippines
1 scam
Dahab
Egypt
1 scam
Essaouira
Morocco
1 scam
Lyon
France
1 scam
Malaga
Spain
1 scam
Negril
Jamaica
1 scam
Granada
Spain
1 scam
Funchal
Portugal
1 scam
Virginia Beach
USA
1 scam
Rimini
Italy
1 scam
Fuerteventura
Spain
1 scam
Fortaleza
Brazil
1 scam
Aqaba
Jordan
1 scam
Portland
USA
1 scam
Kyiv
Ukraine
1 scam
Chengdu
China
1 scam
Iquitos
Peru
1 scam
Córdoba
Argentina
1 scam
Toronto
Canada
1 scam
San Juan del Sur
Nicaragua
1 scam
Yangon
Myanmar
1 scam
Dhaka
Bangladesh
1 scam
Makarska
Croatia
1 scam
Belize City
Belize
1 scam
Puerto Princesa
Philippines
1 scam
Panama City
Panama
1 scam
Lhasa
China
1 scam
Nuremberg
Germany
1 scam
Kuwait City
Kuwait
1 scam
Acapulco
Mexico
1 scam
Quebec City
Canada
1 scam
Vancouver
Canada
1 scam
Heraklion
Greece
1 scam
Las Terrenas
Dominican Republic
1 scam
Da Nang
Vietnam
1 scam
Luxor
Egypt
1 scam
Mahé
Seychelles
1 scam
Adelaide
Australia
1 scam
Orlando
USA
1 scam
San José
Costa Rica
1 scam
Moscow
Russia
1 scam
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe
1 scam
Amman
Jordan
1 scam
Asunción
Paraguay
1 scam
Hoi An
Vietnam
1 scam
Pokhara
Nepal
1 scam
Hampi
India
1 scam
Sintra
Portugal
1 scam
Surabaya
Indonesia
1 scam
Kotor
Montenegro
1 scam
Monastir
Tunisia
1 scam
Máncora
Peru
1 scam
Dakar
Senegal
1 scam
Pisa
Italy
1 scam
St. Louis
USA
1 scam
Islamabad
Pakistan
1 scam
Hiroshima
Japan
1 scam
Rhodes Town
Greece
1 scam
Brighton
United Kingdom
1 scam
Louisville
USA
1 scam
Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan
1 scam
Asheville
USA
1 scam
Zakynthos
Greece
1 scam
Paros
Greece
1 scam
Cape Cod
USA
1 scam
Iguazu Falls
Argentina
1 scam
Mostar
Bosnia and Herzegovina
1 scam
Ohrid
North Macedonia
1 scam
Novi Sad
Serbia
1 scam
Seattle
USA
1 scam
Chisinau
Moldova
1 scam
Samaná
Dominican Republic
1 scam
Memphis
USA
1 scam
Sousse
Tunisia
1 scam
Atlantic City
USA
1 scam
Branson
USA
1 scam
Plovdiv
Bulgaria
1 scam
San Diego
USA
1 scam
Maceió
Brazil
1 scam
Santa Fe
USA
1 scam
New Orleans
USA
1 scam
San José
Costa Rica
1 scam
Kigali
Rwanda
1 scam
Gold Coast
Australia
1 scam
Tampa
USA
1 scam
Recife
Brazil
1 scam
Kobe
Japan
1 scam
Nosy Be
Madagascar
1 scam
Whistler
Canada
1 scam
Shiraz
Iran
1 scam
Erbil
Iraq
1 scam
Lahore
Pakistan
1 scam
Viñales
Cuba
1 scam
Rotterdam
Netherlands
1 scam
Izmir
Turkey
1 scam
La Paz
Bolivia
1 scam
Chiang Mai
Thailand
1 scam
Turin
Italy
1 scam
Montevideo
Uruguay
1 scam
Chennai
India
1 scam
Gyeongju
South Korea
1 scam
Wadi Rum
Jordan
1 scam
Astana
Kazakhstan
1 scam
Charlottetown
Canada
1 scam
Reykjavik
Iceland
1 scam
Samarkand
Uzbekistan
1 scam
Victoria
Canada
1 scam
Salzburg
Austria
1 scam
Nara
Japan
1 scam
Verona
Italy
1 scam
Natal
Brazil
1 scam
Brussels
Belgium
1 scam
Kefalonia
Greece
1 scam
San Miguel de Allende
Mexico
1 scam
Busan
South Korea
1 scam
Doha
Qatar
1 scam
Galle
Sri Lanka
1 scam
Lima
Peru
1 scam
Jackson Hole
USA
1 scam
York
United Kingdom
1 scam
Barbados
Barbados
1 scam
Rovinj
Croatia
1 scam
Sofia
Bulgaria
1 scam
St. John's
Canada
1 scam
Sapporo
Japan
1 scam
Houston
USA
1 scam
Papeete
French Polynesia
1 scam
Kaohsiung
Taiwan
1 scam
Monaco
Monaco
1 scam
Saskatoon
Canada
1 scam
Bruges
Belgium
1 scam
Dublin
Ireland
1 scam
Charleston
USA
1 scam
Dresden
Germany
1 scam
Banff
Canada
1 scam
Algiers
Algeria
1 scam
Jakarta
Indonesia
1 scam
Almaty
Kazakhstan
1 scam
Zurich
Switzerland
1 scam
Santiago de Compostela
Spain
1 scam
Granada
Nicaragua
1 scam
Naxos
Greece
1 scam
Swakopmund
Namibia
1 scam
Aspen
USA
1 scam
Nagasaki
Japan
1 scam
Ghent
Belgium
1 scam
Frankfurt
Germany
1 scam
How to protect yourself from other scams scams
Other Tourist Scams are documented in 490 destinations — research the specific other scams warnings for your destination before departure.
Common warning signs across all destinations: cash-only transaction, no receipt offered, rapid onset of disorientation inconsistent with alcohol consumed, memory gaps after a night out. Train yourself to recognise these patterns.
The most commonly targeted groups: Solo travelers, backpackers, Solo female travelers. If you fit this profile, exercise extra caution in this category.
Report any other scams scam to local police and your country's embassy. Even if recovery is unlikely, reports help maintain accurate travel advisory databases.
Cross-reference our warnings with recent traveler reports on forums like r/travel and TripAdvisor before your trip — conditions evolve and new variations emerge.
Safety Tips: Other Tourist Scams
Practical guides to avoiding other scams scams in specific destinations.
phuket
Phuket Jet Ski and Beach Scams: How the Damage Deposit Trick Works
The jet ski damage scam is Phuket's most financially harmful tourist fraud. Learn exactly how it works and how to protect yourself before renting anything on the beach.
amsterdam
Amsterdam Tourist Scams: What to Watch for in 2026
Bike rental fraud, overpriced cannabis shops, and transport scams are the main risks for tourists in Amsterdam. Here is a practical guide to staying safe.
What to Do If You Are Scammed While Traveling: A Step-by-Step Guide
Being scammed abroad is disorienting. Here is a clear action plan — what to do immediately, how to recover financially, and who to contact.
How to Keep Valuables Safe While Traveling: Practical Security Guide
Passport theft, bag snatching, and hotel room theft are the most common ways travelers lose valuables. Here is a systematic approach to protecting what matters.
Solo Traveler Safety Guide: How to Reduce Scam Risk When Traveling Alone
Solo travelers are disproportionately targeted by scams. Here is a practical safety framework for traveling alone in unfamiliar destinations.
How to Negotiate Prices Abroad: A Practical Guide to Haggling Respectfully
Haggling is expected in markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Learn how to negotiate effectively without overpaying or causing offence.
Other Tourist Scams — answered
What are other scams scams?
Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors. Our database documents 793 verified other scams scam incidents across 490 destinations worldwide. 170 of these are rated high severity, indicating significant financial or safety risk. The most common variants and how they work are detailed above.
Where are other scams scams most common?
Valparaíso has the highest documented other scams scam count with 9 incidents. Other high-activity destinations include Salvador (8), Tijuana (8), Hamburg (6). Regionally, Europe has the most documented activity with 218 reports.
How do I avoid other scams scams?
The most effective defence against other scams scams is pre-trip research — knowing what specific scams exist at your destination makes them far easier to spot. General precautions: verify services through official channels, agree on all costs in writing before committing, maintain situational awareness in tourist areas, and trust your instincts when something feels wrong. See the individual scam entries above for specific avoidance tactics.
Are other scams scams dangerous?
Most other scams scams result in financial loss rather than physical danger. However, 170 of 793 documented incidents are rated high severity, indicating significant financial impact or potential safety concerns. The primary risk is financial — overcharging, counterfeit goods, or services never delivered. Physical danger is rare but documented in isolated cases, particularly where victims confront scam operators.
What should I do if I fall victim to a other scams scam?
If scammed: (1) Document everything — photos, receipts, descriptions, locations. (2) Report to local police and obtain a written report number (required for insurance claims). (3) Contact your embassy if the loss is significant or you feel threatened. (4) Notify your bank immediately if payment cards were compromised. (5) File a claim with your travel insurance provider. (6) Report to our database to help other travelers.
Which tourists are most targeted by other scams scams?
Based on our documented reports, the most frequently targeted groups for other scams scams are: Solo travelers, backpackers, Solo female travelers, Solo male travelers, solo travelers. This does not mean other travelers are immune — scam operators are opportunistic and will target anyone who appears unfamiliar with local norms.
Editorial note: Other Scams scam data is compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, and traveler reports. Read our methodology →
Other Scam Guides
Taxi & Transport
Taxi & Transport Scams for Tourists — Worldwide Warning Guide
Street Scams
Street Scams Tourists Fall For — Worldwide Warning Guide
Restaurant Scams
Restaurant Scams Tourists Fall For — Worldwide Warning Guide
Accommodation Scams
Accommodation Scams to Avoid — Worldwide Warning Guide
Online Scams
Online Travel Scams to Avoid — Worldwide Warning Guide
Tour & Activities
Tour & Activity Scams for Tourists — Worldwide Warning Guide
Money & ATM Scams
Money & ATM Scams Targeting Tourists — Worldwide Warning Guide