Scam in SpainShopping
Souvenir-shop tourist traps in Spain
How it works
Shops in these areas are described as tourist traps selling generic Chinese souvenirs rather than Catalan or Spanish products. A local-looking souvenir may not be locally made.
Warning signs
- A shop sells a generic range of tourist souvenirs.
- There is no clear information about where the item was made.
How to avoid it
- Ask where an item was made before buying.
- Check labels rather than relying on the design.
- Compare shops away from these tourist souvenir areas.
If it happens to you
Keep the receipt and ask the shop about a return if the item was misrepresented.
- Move somewhere safe. Do not chase thieves or fight over belongings. Call 112 if you are threatened, injured or need urgent help.
- Freeze or cancel stolen cards immediately. Tell your bank or payment provider about any fraudulent payment or transfer.
- Write down what happened. Save receipts, messages, payment records, times, locations and descriptions.
- Report the crime to police. Ask for a copy of the denuncia, the police report, for insurance or replacement documents.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen. Contact the rental company if a rental vehicle was involved.
- Contact your insurer and keep your report and receipts. If a phone was stolen, secure affected accounts and contact your mobile provider.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/travel2024Shops and restaurants scamming tourists in Barcelona?A traveller reports a Sagrada Família gift-shop purchase initially charged at €59 instead of €42, which the cashier corrected as a scanning mistake.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/AskBarcelona2024Where to find out more about the economics of Barcelona tourist shops?Contributors question the proliferation of Barcelona shops selling near-identical cheap souvenirs, although their suspicions do not establish fraud.Read on Reddit
Questions
What is the souvenir-shop tourist traps scam in Spain?
Shops in these areas are described as tourist traps selling generic Chinese souvenirs rather than Catalan or Spanish products. A local-looking souvenir may not be locally made.
How can I spot it early?
A shop sells a generic range of tourist souvenirs. There is no clear information about where the item was made.
How do I avoid souvenir-shop tourist traps in Spain?
Ask where an item was made before buying. Check labels rather than relying on the design. Compare shops away from these tourist souvenir areas.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Keep the receipt and ask the shop about a return if the item was misrepresented.
Where in Spain does this happen?
Souvenir shops throughout Barri Gotic and along La Rambla. It has been reported in Barcelona.
How common is this scam in Spain?
Occasional. Spain is generally safe, but pickpocketing and distraction theft are common in busy tourist areas, especially in Barcelona and Madrid. Travellers may also face taxi overcharging, padded restaurant bills, pushy street offers and online payment scams.
Are there similar scams in Spain?
Yes: no-change trick, low-quality goods sold from street blankets, jewellery markups near tourist sights.
Who can I report it to?
Emergency services: call 112 for urgent police, medical or fire help. The number is toll-free. Policía Nacional: report crimes in cities to the National Police. Ask for a copy of the denuncia if you need evidence for insurance or replacement documents. Policía Municipal or Local; Guardia Urbana in Barcelona: ask local police for help finding where to report. They can escort you to Policía Nacional headquarters if required, but do not directly take crime reports as described here. Regional police: regional forces with similar responsibilities to Policía Nacional include Mossos d'Esquadra in Catalonia, Ertzaintza in the Basque Country, Policía Foral in Navarre and Policía Canaria in the Canary Islands. Guardia Civil: seek help for incidents outside cities or on roads between cities. For urgent help, call 112. Your bank or card issuer: use your banking app or a trusted contact number to block cards, report fraud and ask whether a payment or transfer can be stopped or recovered. Your embassy or consulate: contact them through their official contact details if your passport is stolen. Keep your police report for the replacement process. Your travel insurer: report the loss promptly and follow the claim instructions. Keep the police report, receipts and evidence of ownership. Your rental company: use the contact details in your rental agreement to report vehicle damage or theft. Keep the police report and photographs of damage.
What number do I call in an emergency in Spain?
Police, medical and fire emergencies: 112.
Reviewed by @snuck