During the 2022 summer tourist season, European countries have fully opened their doors to tourists from all over the world. However, tourist attractions are always overloaded and prices are high, making it difficult for visitors to visit. In addition, tourists who want to go to Europe need to be wary of the following scams.
fake identity
The story will start with a tourist like you asking for directions and directions. You exchange a few words with them. A few minutes later, suddenly two people in plain clothes claiming to be police officers, approach you and show fake badges to "prove". They say you have just come into contact with a criminal, and want to check your passport, ID or search your backpack or bag. This is when your valuables will be lost.
A street band in Europe.
Europe has a lot of street performers. Most of them are talented artists, performing art and exchanging money from the audience. But some are scammers, part of organized gangs. You can stop for a while on the street to watch the artists sing and play. Taking advantage of that time, the fake artists' accomplices will follow you and pick your pocket without you knowing.
Strange Kindness
A friendly stranger stands next to you, strikes up a conversation, and your conversation is lively. Your new friend invites you to a bar or restaurant for a drink. You happily agree until you get the bill from the bar. It will be "sky-high" and you won't be able to find your new friend again. In fact, the people working in that bar are also the bad guys' accomplices. So, if you really think you've met someone nice, look up the location yourself, read online reviews of bars, and choose according to your preferences.
Pickpocketing is rampant in Europe.
Many visitors to Europe are often confused when buying tickets for public transport from automatic machines. And that is when a stranger approaches you, offering to help you with the ticket purchase process. Then they will say the machine is broken and does not accept cash. Next, the stranger offers to help you by paying with their card, and you pay them in cash. And that ticket, usually, cannot be used. Sometimes, the scammer will appear in uniform, name tag to impersonate the staff to catch tourists off guard.
Another common scam is the presentation of hardship to beg for money. The scammer will approach the tourist and tell them his or her plight in order to evoke sympathy, pity and ask for financial help.
Play on tourists' greed
You are offered a discount voucher with a great discount for a nearby restaurant by a friendly stranger. You take the voucher, go to eat and when you go to pay, you find out that the voucher is fake. Of course, you have to pay 100% of the amount and it is not cheap at all.
Beware of fake police tricks.
Visitors to Paris, France, especially near famous tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower, often see groups of people gathered to play some kind of game. These games are often "rigged" gambling games, usually they will let you win the first few rounds. But after that, you will lose all your money without knowing it. And if you leave right after you win, you will be surrounded by people who will make things difficult for you.
Europe in general has very safe and reliable taxi services. Drivers are mostly licensed and the meters are clearly visible, so if you encounter a driver who says the meter is broken or asks you to pay in cash upfront, simply leave the car and take the next one.
