Scam in BelgiumShopping
Tourist-trap diamond shops in Belgium
How it works
Tourist-focused diamond shops can offer an unpleasant buying experience. There are many tourist-trap shops in this area, so visitors should research purchases and compare prices before buying.
Warning signs
- You are considering an expensive purchase without comparing other shops.
- You cannot judge whether the quoted price offers good value.
How to avoid it
- Research diamond purchases online before visiting.
- Compare prices across several shops.
- Be prepared to bargain.
- Walk away if you feel pressured or unsure.
If it happens to you
Keep the receipt and any written product claims. Contact the seller about the problem. If you suspect fraud, contact police and your card issuer.
- Move to a safe place. Do not chase a thief or confront an aggressive seller.
- Call 112 if anyone is hurt, threatened or in immediate danger.
- Block stolen cards promptly. Contact your card issuer about any payment you believe was fraudulent.
- If your phone was stolen, use its lost-device tools and secure important accounts.
- Report the incident to police. Keep receipts, payment records, photos and a written account of what happened. Ask for a report reference.
- Contact your insurer if you have cover. If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate about a replacement.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/Antwerpen2025Are all those gold and diamond stores around the station area legit?Commenters described some jewellery shops around Antwerp Central as tourist traps selling low-quality pieces at substantial markups.Read on Reddit
- WebAntwerp World Diamond Centre2026Antwerp diamond industry body warns consumers about deception when buying diamond jewelryAntwerp's diamond industry body warned that some jewellers fail to disclose whether stones are natural or synthetic, exposing uninformed buyers to deception.Read on Web
Questions
What is the tourist-trap diamond shops scam in Belgium?
Tourist-focused diamond shops can offer an unpleasant buying experience. There are many tourist-trap shops in this area, so visitors should research purchases and compare prices before buying.
How can I spot it early?
You are considering an expensive purchase without comparing other shops. You cannot judge whether the quoted price offers good value.
How do I avoid tourist-trap diamond shops in Belgium?
Research diamond purchases online before visiting. Compare prices across several shops. Be prepared to bargain. Walk away if you feel pressured or unsure.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Keep the receipt and any written product claims. Contact the seller about the problem. If you suspect fraud, contact police and your card issuer.
Where in Belgium does this happen?
Tourist jewellery shops around Antwerp-Central station and the diamond district centre. It has been reported in Antwerp.
How common is this scam in Belgium?
Occasional. Belgium is generally safe, but pickpocketing and petty theft are common in Brussels. Other concerns include bicycle theft, unattended belongings being stolen, tourist-trap diamond shops in Antwerp and pushy sweet sellers in Ghent.
Are there similar scams in Belgium?
Yes: pushy cuberdon sellers.
Who can I report it to?
Emergency services: call 112 for urgent police, fire or medical help. In Brussels, it works from a mobile phone even without a SIM card. Police: report theft or suspected fraud at a police station. The police number given for Antwerp and Leuven is 101. Antwerp police, non-urgent inquiries: call 0800/12312 free of charge for a non-urgent inquiry or help finding the nearest police station. Leuven local police: call +32 16 21 06 11, or 016 21 06 11 from a local landline. The city centre police station is next to City Hall at Grote Markt. Card issuer: use your banking app or the issuer's official contact details to block a stolen card and report disputed payments. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate if your passport is stolen or you need help replacing travel documents. Travel insurer: use the contact details on your policy. Keep police reports, receipts and other evidence for your claim.
What number do I call in an emergency in Belgium?
Emergency services: police, fire and ambulance: 112, Police assistance, listed for Antwerp and Leuven: 101.
Reviewed by @snuck