Many people know Southeast Asia’s warm hospitality and charm, but as with any
popular tourism destination, they have their share of visitor cons, too. Being familiar
with some of the most common scams will ensure you travel this region more safely
and confidently, focusing on some authentic cultural experiences that make
Southeast Asia so magical.
Let’s examine some of the most common scams and offer some practical advice on
how to avoid them.
Taxi Meter Troubles
The classic broken meter excuse leads to inflated fares, while some drivers take
lengthy detours to increase charges. Always insist on using the meter or agree on a
fixed price before starting your journey, and familiarize yourself with the standard
routes to your destination.
Technology can be your ally here, so consider using ride-hailing apps like Grab or Gojek that provide fixed fares and tracked routes.
Temple Closure Redirect
Friendly locals inform tourists that a temple is closed for a ceremony but offer to
show them a ‘special’ alternative site or gem shop. These seemingly helpful guides
work with businesses to funnel tourists into overpriced shops and scam operations.
You can easily verify temple operating hours by checking official websites or asking
at your hotel’s front desk.
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Gem Store Special
Persuasive sellers convince tourists they can make huge profits by purchasing gems
and reselling them back home at higher prices. The stones are typically worthless
imitations that leave buyers with expensive, fake merchandise they cannot resell.
Professional gem dealers never approach random tourists on the street to offer
investment opportunities.
Rigged ATM Locations
Criminals install card skimmers on ATMs, particularly in tourist areas, to steal card
information and PINs. Stick to ATMs inside reputable banks during business hours, and always shield your PIN when entering it.
Consider carrying a backup card in a separate location and setting up instant transaction notifications on your phone.
Friend Bracelet Trap
Street vendors forcefully tie friendship bracelets or strings around tourists’ wrists,
then demand payment for their ‘gift.’ The vendors become aggressive if tourists
refuse to pay or try to remove the items.
Keep your hands close to your body when passing these vendors, and firmly say ‘no’ if they approach.
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Photo Opportunity Setup
Street performers or animal handlers encourage tourists to take photos and demand
excessive fees after the picture is taken. They often work in groups and can become
confrontational if tourists refuse to pay their requested amount.
Remember that legitimate photo opportunities usually have displayed prices and professional setups.
Money Exchange Deception
Money changers use sleight-of-hand or miscounting techniques to short-change
tourists during currency exchanges. Some even switch actual notes for counterfeits
during the transaction while distracting customers.
Always count your money twice and avoid exchanging currency on the street, no matter how attractive the rates may seem.
Tuk-Tuk Tour Trouble
Drivers offer suspiciously cheap or free tours but take tourists to overpriced shops
where they earn commissions. The extended ‘shopping stops’ eat into actual
sightseeing time and pressure tourists into making purchases.
Research suggests that these commissioned stops can increase tour costs by up to 300% through inflated souvenir prices.
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Hotel Booking Bait
Touts claim your booked hotel is closed, full, or unsafe and redirect you to their
‘partner’ accommodation. They receive commissions for bringing guests to
substandard hotels that charge inflated rates.
Keep your hotel’s contact information handy and call them directly if someone claims issues with your booking.
Milk Powder Plea
Scammers pose as impoverished locals needing expensive milk powder for their
babies. After tourists leave, the perpetrators return the powder to the store, splitting
the profits with the shopkeeper.
If you want to help, consider donating directly to registered local charities instead.
Pickpocket Performance
Groups create artificial crowds or distractions while accomplices pick tourists’
pockets or bags. These teams often operate near popular attractions or on crowded
public transportation.
Statistics show that most pickpocketing incidents occur during the first three days of a tourist’s visit when they’re most distracted by new surroundings.
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Rental Vehicle Damage
Scooter and bike rental shops photograph existing damage and then claim tourists
caused it when returning vehicles. They demand excessive repair payments and
sometimes hold passports hostage until tourists pay.
Before accepting the vehicle, take detailed videos and photos of any existing damage, including close-ups of scratches and dents.
Airport Taxi Overcharge
Unofficial taxi drivers at airports quote extremely high fares or use rigged meters to
overcharge tired arrivals. Always use official taxi stands or pre-arranged
transportation from your accommodation.
Many airports now have convenient train or bus connections to city centers that bypass this scam entirely.
Fake Tourist Police
Scammers posing as tourist police demand to check visitors’ wallets for counterfeit
currency. During the ‘inspection,’ they pocket real cash and return wallets with fake
notes or less money.
Legitimate police officers will always show proper identification and never demand to inspect your money on the street.
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Water Festival Theft
During celebrations like Songkran, thieves use the chaos of water fights to steal from
distracted tourists. Keep valuables in waterproof pouches and remain aware of your
surroundings during festivities.
Consider participating in organized festival events at established venues where security measures are in place.
Bird Feeding Frenzy
Vendors sell overpriced bird feed, encouraging tourists to feed local pigeons for
photos. The birds are often trained to swarm tourists, creating chaos while
accomplices steal from bags and pockets.
These operations can also pose health risks, as the birds may carry diseases.
Spa Service Switch
Massage parlors advertise low prices but pressure customers into expensive
‘upgrades’ once inside. Some establishments even hold customers’ belongings until
they agree to pay inflated rates.
Research shows that legitimate spas maintain consistent pricing and never pressure clients into additional services.
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Restaurant Menu Swap
Restaurants present tourists with English menus that are priced higher than local
versions. They may also add phantom charges or mandatory service fees not shown
on the original menu.
To avoid disputes, ask to see both the local and tourist menus and photograph the menu before ordering.
Casino Card Scheme
Professional gamblers befriend tourists and convince them to try their luck at rigged
card games. These operations often take place in private rooms with multiple
accomplices working together.
Law enforcement reports indicate these operations can cost victims thousands of dollars in a single session.
Visa Extension Service
Official agents promise quick visa renewals but disappear with tourists’ passports
and money. You must deal with visa issues only through official government offices
or licensed travel agencies.
Find an approved visa service provider list on your country’s embassy website.
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Smart Travel Makes Safer Journeys
The secret here is to remain vigilant but not paranoid. Most Southeast Asians are
wonderfully friendly and helpful; they need the tourists to have a good time in their
countries.
Knowing such common scams can distinguish authentic interactions with locals and
help you avoid possible scams, making your journey more enjoyable and secure.
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