Scam in AustriaFake officials
Fake police wallet inspection in Austria
How it works
Someone asks you for directions. Accomplices then show a fake police badge, suggest that you were buying drugs, and ask for your passport and wallet. While you explain yourself, they remove cash. Another version claims that your money may be counterfeit and needs inspection.
Warning signs
- An ordinary conversation suddenly turns into a police check.
- Someone wants to inspect your wallet or cash in the street.
- They resist going to a police station or a uniformed officer.
How to avoid it
- Keep your wallet and cash in your possession.
- Ask to continue the check at a police station or with a uniformed officer.
- At Karlsplatz, ask to go to the police station at the U-Bahn station.
- A badge should show Polizei and the Austrian coat of arms and/or flag, but do not rely on the badge alone.
If it happens to you
Stop the street inspection and ask to go to the police station. If money has been taken, report it to genuine police as soon as you are safe.
- Move to a safe place. Do not chase a thief or argue with a group.
- Block missing payment cards through your card issuer. Secure your phone and accounts if your phone was stolen.
- Write down what happened, where and when. Save receipts, messages and transaction details.
- Report the scam or theft to the police. Call 133 if you need urgent police help.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen. Tell any rental company if rented property is missing.
- Contact your bank and travel insurer about recovery or a claim. Keep the police report and other evidence.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- News2015Falsche Polizisten kontrollierten TouristenPolice arrested three impersonators who approached Egyptian and Japanese tourists in central Vienna, demanded wallets for counterfeit checks and requested card PINs.Read on News
- News2010Echte Polizisten stellen falsche DrogenermittlerReal police interrupted three men posing as drug investigators who demanded to search an Asian tourist couple's wallets and bags in central Vienna.Read on News
- News2009Vier falsche Polizisten geschnapptVienna police caught a group accused of stealing tourists' cash while pretending to inspect banknotes for counterfeits or drugs.Read on News
Questions
What is the fake police wallet inspection scam in Austria?
Someone asks you for directions. Accomplices then show a fake police badge, suggest that you were buying drugs, and ask for your passport and wallet. While you explain yourself, they remove cash. Another version claims that your money may be counterfeit and needs inspection.
How can I spot it early?
An ordinary conversation suddenly turns into a police check. Someone wants to inspect your wallet or cash in the street. They resist going to a police station or a uniformed officer.
How do I avoid fake police wallet inspection in Austria?
Keep your wallet and cash in your possession. Ask to continue the check at a police station or with a uniformed officer. At Karlsplatz, ask to go to the police station at the U-Bahn station. A badge should show Polizei and the Austrian coat of arms and/or flag, but do not rely on the badge alone.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Stop the street inspection and ask to go to the police station. If money has been taken, report it to genuine police as soon as you are safe.
Where in Austria does this happen?
Around Karlsplatz and the Ring in Vienna. It has been reported in Vienna.
How common is this scam in Austria?
Occasional. Austria is generally very safe, but theft and street scams can still catch visitors out. Watch your belongings in crowds, lock bicycles carefully, and be cautious of street gambling, unwanted gifts and people claiming to be police.
Who can I report it to?
Federal police — Polizei: report scams and theft at a police station. Call 133 for urgent police help. For a serious crime report in Vienna, ask for an English-speaking officer if needed. Police station at Karlsplatz U-Bahn station: if someone claiming to be police approaches you around Karlsplatz, ask to continue the check at this station. Card issuer: use your issuer's official app or phone number to block stolen cards and report disputed transactions. PayLife: the listed number for blocking lost or stolen credit cards is 05 990 645 00. You can also contact your own card issuer directly. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact details if your passport is lost or stolen. Travel insurer: contact your insurer through its official claims channel. Keep receipts, evidence and your police report.
What number do I call in an emergency in Austria?
Police: 133, Ambulance / rescue: 144, Fire department: 122, PayLife lost or stolen credit-card blocking: 05 990 645 00.
Reviewed by @snuck