Travel scamsOn the street
Street scams
131 reported in 70 countries. How each works and how to avoid it.
- FranceVery commonFake charity petitionsPeople approach with pledge sheets and pretend to be deaf charity collectors. While you read or sign, an accomplice may steal your belongings. After you sign, they point to a minimum donation demand. A group may surround you.Paris
- FranceCommonForced string or braceletPeople known as string muggers try to tie a string or bracelet around your finger. They then demand money. They may grab your arm, threaten you or try to pickpocket you. Children can also be targeted.Paris
- FranceCommonFound-ring trickSomeone pretends to find a ring and asks whether it is yours. When you say no, they insist you keep it. They then ask for money, often claiming they need food, and may follow you.Paris
- FranceOccasionalThree-card betting gameCon artists invite people to bet on a three-card game. The game is set up for you to lose.Paris
- FranceOccasionalFake charity collections and salesSomeone asks for money for an imaginary charity. They may sell postcards or other items to support the story. Genuine charity outreach also happens in these areas, so an approach alone does not prove fraud.Lyon
- SpainCommonShell game and Three Card MonteStreet operators run shell games or a version of Three Card Monte. You risk losing money if you play. People who stop to watch may also be pickpocketed. The operators are called trileros.Madrid, Barcelona
- SpainOccasionalRosemary offers and good-luck distractionsSomeone offers a sprig of rosemary, then demands money after you take it. The offer may lead to fortune-telling or distract you while an accomplice steals. Some approach saying Buena suerte, meaning good luck. In Granada, sellers may refuse coins and demand at least €5. The trick also occurs elsewhere in Spain.Granada
- SpainOccasionalPalm-reading charges and accomplice theftPeople working in teams draw visitors into palm readings and demand a large payment. A child working with the reader may snatch your money.Córdoba
- SpainOccasionalStreet massage extortionA person offers a street massage, or masajes, then uses the encounter to pressure or extort money.Madrid
- SpainOccasionalPetition donation pressureSomeone asks you to sign a petition, including petitions for a wheelchair lift. After you sign, they aggressively demand a donation. The approach can also distract you from your belongings.Barcelona
- SpainOccasionalCrowds of children demanding moneyA group of children crowds a visitor and demands money. Their numbers can make it difficult to leave.Barcelona
- SpainOccasionalUnsolicited requests for helpSomeone approaches in your language and asks for directions or help with a problem. Scam teams can use the conversation to distract you and create an opening for theft.Barcelona
- United StatesOccasionalAggressive requests for moneySomeone asks for money and becomes persistent or intimidating. This is not always a scam, but the pressure can make you feel you must pay.
- ItalyCommonFree friendship bracelet pressureA seller calls a bracelet a free gift. They may tie it onto your wrist or place it on your shoulder. They then demand money and follow you.Milan
- ItalyOccasionalFree pigeon-feed pressureSomeone puts corn into your hands and says it is free. Pigeons gather around you. The person then follows you and demands money.Milan
- United KingdomVery commonCup and ball betting gameA person moves three cups and asks you to bet on which hides a ball. They secretly remove the ball, so you cannot win by following it. People who stop to watch may also be pickpocketed.London
- United KingdomOccasionalPushy performers and paid-photo demandsA performer grabs or pressures you to pose for a photo, then demands payment. The distraction may also allow someone to pickpocket you.London
- United KingdomOccasionalFree flowers and lucky heather demandsSomeone hands you a flower or 'lucky heather', sometimes claiming it is free or for charity. They later demand payment or a donation. A purse of supposed donations may be shown to pressure you. Paying can reveal where you keep your cash to a pickpocket.London
- United KingdomOccasionalFalse monk donation requestsPeople claiming to be Tibetan monks seek donations. The money may instead support a local criminal group.London
- United KingdomOccasionalMoney for tickets, calls or a hospital taxiSomeone asks for money after claiming their travel pass is lost or damaged, or that they need transport or a phone call. Another version uses a convincing fake injury and a request for taxi money to hospital.London
- United KingdomOccasionalFake street-drug salesA seller takes money for supposed drugs, hands over a parcel containing items such as cellophane or matches, then runs away. Sellers may carry knives.Bristol
- GermanyOccasionalFalse appeal for money to travel homeSomeone asks whether you speak English, then claims to be from a new EU country and needs money to fly home. The account is false. Women accompanied by children are described using this approach.Berlin
- GermanyOccasionalSouvenir passport-stamp boothsBooths offer to stamp your passport for a small fee. These are souvenir stamps, not official government stamps, and they could invalidate your passport.Berlin
- GreeceCommonUnwanted sales approaches at café tablesRoaming sellers approach people at their tables. This is described as an unwanted sales approach rather than a proven fraud. Sellers usually leave if you show no interest or say ochi.Kavala
- AustriaCommonUnwanted gift followed by a payment demandSomeone insists on handing you a rose, magazine or another item. After you accept it, they demand payment. Genuine Augustin magazine sellers wear a badge and should not be confused with this trick.Vienna
- AustriaOccasionalRigged hiding-the-ball street gameAn operator moves a ball or small object under bottle caps or matchboxes. Accomplices appear to win and lose to make the game look fair. Once you bet, the operator secretly removes the ball. Lookouts watch the surrounding area.Vienna
- AustriaOccasionalRequests for train-ticket moneySomeone approaches you asking for money for a train ticket or a similar need. They may persist. The approach alone does not prove that a person's story is false, but visitors are advised to ignore these requests.Vienna
- ThailandCommonThe attraction is closedA tout or driver says your destination is closed for a holiday or repairs. They offer another tour, discount admission or a ride to shops. Several people may pose as officials and repeat the same story. You can end up far from the centre at overpriced shops.Bangkok, Chiang Mai
- ThailandCommonFriendly-stranger sales approachA stranger starts a polite conversation about your family or travel plans. The chat turns into a sales pitch or leads to another scam, such as overpriced show tickets, gambling or gems.
- ThailandCommonQuestionnaire and prize timeshare pitchSomeone with a clipboard asks your nationality and invites you to fill in a tourism survey. They request your hotel and room number. Everyone is later told they won a prize, but collecting it requires a long timeshare presentation.
- ThailandOccasionalGambling scam invitationA stranger builds trust through friendly conversation, then draws the visitor into a gambling scam. The exact game and method are not described.
- PortugalOccasionalA stranger asks to borrow moneyA stranger asks to borrow money and promises to repay it within a few hours. The promise is used to persuade you to hand over cash.Lisbon
- MalaysiaOccasionalFriendly invitation and poker scamA friendly stranger approaches a lone tourist and invites them home to chat about their country. The visit turns into a poker game. Losses build up, and the visitor loses cash and jewellery.Kuala Lumpur
- MalaysiaOccasionalOrganised beggingSome begging is organised by syndicates. Giving money may draw unwanted attention. Not every person asking for help should be assumed to be dishonest.Ipoh
- ChinaOccasionalAccident and false compensation claimsSomeone uses an alleged accident to seek compensation. People who genuinely help someone in distress have also faced compensation claims. Foreign visitors are not often targeted.
- PolandCommonPersistent flyer toutsTouts hand out flyers and brochures for services. This is mainly unwanted solicitation; taking a flyer is not described as causing a financial loss.Warsaw
Reviewed by @snuck