Top Ten Scams in Southeast Asia

Traveling in Asia can be intimidating at times, the languages, foods, and unknown surroundings. There are countless stories about naïve western tourists being swindled out of their hard earned greenbacks. The scams in Asia run the gamut from very simple and obvious to intricate and elusive. You can still have an amazing holiday in Thailand, Vietnam, or wherever your travel takes you, just use some common sense! Here is a list of travel scams in Southeast Asia and how you can easily avoid being the next victim by simply walking away.

1. The Gem Scam. This is an old favorite which, like most travel scams, plays on the greed of the mark. It normally involves a very well dressed and well spoken (English speaking local) who approaches you. Through the use of their smooth talking they convince you to buy some very pretty jewelry that is supposed to be worth a small fortune in your home country. Upon returning home you realize that all of the jewels are fakes and you are out several thousands of dollars. In order to avoid this scam simply use your common sense and suppress you greedy instincts. If it sounds too good to be true it is.
2. The Tailor Shop scam.This classic travel scam involves a friendly tuk tuk driver offering you an incredibly cheap tour of the city. Quickly your tour turns into a “quick” stop at a tailor shop where I very high pressure sales pitch takes place. Refusing to buy anything can lead to be abandoned without a ride back to your hotel. In order to avoid shop around prices for tours and don’t take the one that is 1/10 the price of all the others.
3. The Jet Ski Scam.< In many places in Southeast Asia you can rent a Jet Ski for an hour or two. The problem arises when you return the Jet Ski and the proprietors of the rental place accuse you of damaging it and demand money. This is one of the worst scams because the police are normally in on it and it sometimes turns violent. In order to avoid you can avoid renting a jet ski but what fun is that. The suggested scenario is to monitor the people renting the jet skis and see if they are perpetrating this famous scam on others before you approach them for a rental.
4. The Gas Station Scam. When stopping for gas you may be surprised that there are no self-service pumps. The gas pump employees love to not reset the gauge and quote you an unreasonable price. In order to avoid this scam make sure you pump is set at zero when they start pumping and monitor them closely. If they try to overcharge you it is not unheard of to have them siphon all of the gas out of your tank and start over.
5. The Rigged Meter Scam. Yes it happens. You get in the taxi and watch the meter go crazy. A rigged meter is not a totally unheard of phenomenon but in Asia it happens way too often. In order to avoid read the taxi rate posted in the car and refuse to pay if it is outrageous. Luckily their greed always gives them away and the fake rate is 10 times what it should be.
6. The Extra Charge Travel Scam. Hiring services through reputable travel agencies is normally the best way to go. However, these companies sub contract all of their work and often enough the driver or other hired person who shows up will try and squeeze extra money out of you. The excuses vary but there is always an excuse. The way to avoid this is to refuse any extra payment and contact the company you booked with immediately. 99% of the time the company will sort the entire thing out for you with one quick phone call.
7. The Short Change Scam. Dealing with new currencies can be confusing and merchants all over the world know this. Always count your change and become familiar with the local currency as quickly as possible. The short change scam is one of the most common scams and while the money is normally insignificant nobody ever wants to be ripped off.
8. strong>The Poker Scam. This Vietnam travel scam is complex and mostly centralized in to Saigon and facilitated by the Filipino population. It once again plays on the greed of the mark who is invited back to someone’s house where a professional “dealer” show you how to cheat at cards. Miraculously a “mark” shows up and you are invited in on the scam to rip this person off. Of course it turns out you are the real mark and have to bankroll the whole thing. In order to avoid this scam simply don’t take part in any such sketchy behavior. If you find yourself in this position and the scam is under way pretend you have no cash, get a ride back to somewhere you know, and get out of there.
9. The Police Scam. Transportation is necessary in this world and renting a motorbike or car is not uncommon at all. Being stopped by the police in some countries is a common occurrence. Even if you are obeying all the rules i.e. wearing helmet you can and will be stopped. Naturally, a small on the spot fine can take care of any rules everything real or imagined that where broken. In order to avoid this scam is tough and complicated. It normally requires you coughing up a few dollars but first negotiate the price and then ask for a receipt before handing over any money. Remember corruption is normal in a lot of countries so don’t get too worked up over the whole thing. This is popular in Phuket, Thailand although they are looking for the tourists who simply didn’t want to wear a helmet and bam, your out 1000 baht!
10. The Drug Scam. First way to avoid this scam is NOT TO BUY DRUGS!!! It starts by innocently inquiring about some drugs, finding a local, recommended ‘dealer’ only to find yourself  talking to the police. This is not a coincidence the drug dealer is in cahoots with the coppers and they are shaking you down. If you find yourself in this spot PAY UP! It’s your own fault anyway. Do not let them take you to the police station because the bribe needed to get out of trouble will only increase.

Travel scams are common place in Asia and all have their unique cultural signatures and this one aspect shouldn’t affect how you book your flights to Thailand.  Many locals view their western visitor as a walking ATM machine and with prices as low as they are in Asia, many can be tempted for the easy score. Best rule of thumb,  if it sounds too good to be true. it probably is.  Don’t be afraid to walk away and always pay attention to the exchange of money- know how much you should get back ahead of time. Now that you have done your homework on the matter, you should be all set for a trip of sun, fun, and adventure. Good Luck!

by