You’re not naïve. You know better than to hand your wallet to a stranger or click on sketchy links. But what if the real threat to your travel safety… is your own manners?
Scammers around the world have figured something out: travelers are soft targets, especially the nice ones. You, with your awkward smile and “sure, why not?” energy? You’re a gold mine for travel scams.
Here’s a breakdown of travel scams that don’t catch the clueless — they catch the courteous.
1. “Here, Let Me Tie This On You Real Quick”
The Setup: Someone approaches, cheerful and chatty, holding a bracelet, charm, or string. Before you can say no, it’s being tied around your wrist like you just joined a friendship cult.
The Catch: Once it’s on, it’s not free. You’ll be guilt-tripped into paying for something you didn’t ask for — and can’t easily untie.
✨ Emotional Hook: You didn’t want to interrupt them. They looked so happy. Now you’re €10 poorer and kind of itchy.
Pro Tip: If someone is putting something on your body without asking, it’s not hospitality. It’s hustle. A cheerful “No thank you!” and a sidestep goes a long way.
Extra Caution: This scam is especially common near tourist landmarks in Paris, Rome, and Barcelona. And sometimes, it’s not just about the bracelet — it’s a distraction. While one person is tying the string, another might be eyeing your pockets or backpack. It’s a two-for-one scam you don’t want to star in.
2. “That Hotel Is Closed. I Know a Better One.”
The Setup: You give your hotel name to a cab or tuk-tuk driver. Suddenly, you’re told that your hotel is full, closed, or recently burned down in a mysterious fire. Conveniently, the driver knows a great alternative.
The Catch: Your “new” hotel isn’t better — it’s just paying commissions. The place you actually booked is usually open and waiting for you.
✨ Emotional Hook: You didn’t want to seem distrustful or offend someone who was just “helping.” But you also didn’t want a mystery mattress with weird stains.
Pro Tip: Always call or check your hotel before rerouting. And never trust a travel story that starts with “actually, I know a guy…”
💍 3. “Did You Drop This Gold Ring?”
The Setup: A shiny ring “accidentally” appears near your feet. A stranger picks it up and asks if it’s yours. When you say no, they insist it’s lucky or meant for you — and ask for a “small tip.”
The Catch: The ring is junk. The guilt trip is gold.
✨ Emotional Hook: You didn’t want to seem rude. They were so generous. You just wanted to be… a decent human.
Pro Tip: You’re not responsible for lost-and-found scams. No one gives away free gold unless it’s in a video game.
Did You Know? This scam dates back decades and is especially prevalent near historic attractions and busy metro exits. Variants include sunglasses, earrings, or even phones. If you ever “find” something suspiciously valuable in public and someone quickly follows up, assume it’s bait — not a blessing.
🍵 4. “Let’s Just Grab a Tea and Chat”
The Setup: A friendly local wants to practice English or show you a secret spot. You follow them to a cozy bar or tea house. A little conversation, a drink or two… and suddenly the bill is astronomical.
The Catch: It was all a setup. You were part of a pre-planned commission con.
✨ Emotional Hook: You didn’t want to be that tourist who says no to local interaction. You were being culturally open. Turns out, you were being financially mugged.
Pro Tip: Solo locals who invite you to a random venue are not always looking for friendship — sometimes they’re looking for a 200% tip. You can smile, say you’re late, and leave.
5. “Show Me Your Ticket. And Your Wallet.”
The Setup: At a train station or airport, someone in a half-official uniform asks to inspect your ticket, passport, or even check for “counterfeit cash.”
The Catch: They’re not real staff. They just took your money — and possibly a few choice IDs with it.
✨ Emotional Hook: You didn’t want to challenge authority. They had a badge! Or… something shiny, anyway.
Pro Tip: Real officials are okay with being verified. Say you’ll go with them to the nearest office. If they walk away — that’s your answer.
Why These Scams Are Hard to Spot
The trick is simple: scammers play on your natural instinct to be polite and avoid conflict. And let’s face it, it’s hard to say “No” when someone is smiling at you or offering something “nice.”
It doesn’t help that a lot of these scammers are incredibly skilled at making you feel like you should go along with them. You don’t want to seem rude or cold, so you hesitate — and before you know it, your wallet is a little lighter.
The truth? Saying “No” is a superpower. Here’s why:
🙅♂️ Saying “No” doesn’t make you rude — it makes you smart.
🚶 Walking away doesn’t make you unfriendly — it makes you focused.
😐 Being cautious doesn’t make you untrusting — it makes you prepared.
Share Your Scam Encounters!
Have you ever been caught in one of these travel scams, or experienced something similar while traveling? Share your stories in the comments below — let’s help each other out by learning from our misadventures!
