Question 1

What is the "Tea House Scam" scam in Beijing?

Accepted Answer

Near Tiananmen Square and Wangfujing, friendly English-speaking students approach tourists claiming to want to practice English. They invite tourists for tea, and the bill arrives for hundreds or thousands of dollars. Intimidating staff prevent leaving without payment. Politely decline invitations from strangers near tourist areas who want to practice English or show you around. This is the most reported tourist scam in Beijing. Walk away from persistent strangers.

Question 2

What is the "Hostess Bar Hidden Charges" scam in Tokyo?

Accepted Answer

Touts near Kabukicho or Roppongi invite tourists into a bar, claiming it is free entry or a flat rate. Once inside, drink and hostess companion fees accumulate silently, and the final bill can reach tens of thousands of yen. Bouncers may intimidate customers who refuse to pay. Avoid bars where touts approach you on the street. Always ask for a full written price list before sitting down. If a bill seems wrong, request an itemized receipt and consider calling the police rather than paying under duress.

Question 3

What is the "Waterfront Restaurant Extreme Overcharge" scam in Mykonos?

Accepted Answer

Restaurants along Mykonos Town's famous waterfront (Little Venice) charge €80–120+ for a basic meal per person and add service charges, cover charges, and bread charges without disclosure. Check the full menu with prices including all charges before sitting anywhere. Walk away from venues that refuse to show prices.

Question 4

What is the "Tea Ceremony Friendship Trap" scam in Beijing?

Accepted Answer

Friendly locals posing as university students practising English approach tourists near Wangfujing or Tiananmen and invite them to a traditional tea ceremony nearby. The experience ends with an exorbitant bill of several hundred USD for tea sampled, and some visitors report being blocked from leaving until they pay. Be extremely wary of strangers who approach you in tourist areas and invite you to a venue. If curious about tea culture, research a reputable tea house independently, walk there yourself, and confirm all prices before consuming anything.

Question 5

What is the "Overpriced Bar Tab in Old Town" scam in Prague?

Accepted Answer

Bars and strip clubs on Wenceslas Square and surrounding streets present tourists with inflated drink bills. Attractive staff encourage rounds of drinks, and the bill at the end bears no relation to any menu. Bouncers prevent departure until paid. Research bars thoroughly before entering. Avoid any bar or club where a person on the street urges you to enter. Ask for the drinks menu and check prices before ordering anything. Keep a running total mentally.

Question 6

What is the "Hidden Restaurant Service Charges" scam in Amalfi Coast?

Accepted Answer

Restaurants along the Amalfi Coast routinely add 10–20% service charges to bills that are not prominently displayed on the menu. Some enforce minimum per-person spends even for children. Ask about service charges and minimum spends before sitting down. If the establishment refuses to remove unlisted charges, you have the right to dispute them.

Question 7

What is the "Tea House Art Student Scam" scam in Shanghai?

Accepted Answer

Well-dressed locals posing as art students or young professionals approach tourists near the Bund or Nanjing Road, striking up friendly conversation and eventually inviting them to a nearby tea house or bar for a cultural experience. The bill at the end runs into hundreds of dollars for basic tea, and staff can be intimidating when tourists object. Decline invitations from strangers who approach you unprompted in tourist areas. If you want to visit a tea house, choose one independently from a map app, walk in yourself, and verify prices on the menu before ordering anything.

Question 8

What is the "Duval Street Bar Tab Padding" scam in Key West?

Accepted Answer

One of the most reported scams in Key West. Bars along Duval Street add unrequested shots, cover charges, or service fees to tabs. Some establishments use distraction tactics (loud music, entertainment) to make it harder to track orders. Tourists who are already drinking are less likely to dispute charges. Start a tab only at bars with posted menus. Check your receipt before every card swipe. Request an itemized bill and dispute any charge you did not authorize. Pay per round in cash at busy bars.

Restaurant Scams Tourists Fall For — Worldwide Warning Guide

Most Common Restaurant Scams

Tea House Scam

Hostess Bar Hidden Charges

Waterfront Restaurant Extreme Overcharge

Tea Ceremony Friendship Trap

Overpriced Bar Tab in Old Town

Hidden Restaurant Service Charges

Tea House Art Student Scam

Duval Street Bar Tab Padding

Destinations with Restaurant Scams

Other Scam Guides