Asia is home to some of the best diving the world has to offer, and it’s filled with topside wonders, too. While traveling in Asia, it pays to be cautious, and it pays to have some knowledge about common Asian travel scams. Just knowing these scams exist will help you know what to watch out for, and will help to prevent you from becoming a victim.
Beware of Beggars, Students, and Monks
Many people in Asian countries suffer from poverty, but some cunning thieves use a variety of tactics to appeal to travelers’ humanitarian sides. For example, women will sometimes smear dirt on babies or toddlers, then carry a container they use to collect money. In Malaysia, men often dress as Buddhist monks, then roam the streets asking for money to help with temple upkeep. Young people often approach tourists, saying they are students who cannot afford the cost of education. They ask for donations, or attempt to sell cheap knockoff items, claiming that the money they receive is for school.
Motorbike Scams
Motorbike rentals are readily available in many Asian nations, including Vietnam and Indonesia. Be sure to carefully inspect motorbikes before leaving rental lots to ensure any scratches are documented, since shady companies sometimes charge for damage that happens prior to rentals taking place. In addition, if you know you’ll be renting a motorbike, consider bringing your own lock to secure it. Occasionally, rental companies provide locks and unscrupulous employees with duplicate keys come and steal motorbikes that are left in parking areas. The renter is then charged with the entire cost of the motorbike.
Cheap Bus Tickets and VIP Tours
Many bus companies advertise low ticket prices in order to undercut the completion. Once passengers have paid, the bus driver stalls, then recommends a restaurant or some kind of tour to occupy passengers while an imaginary problem with the bus is solved. This way, the bus company, which also operates the additional tourist trap, gets its money in full.
In the VIP tour scam, tourists pay extra money to upgrade to a better bus. Often, this ends up to be a complete scam, and you’re told that the VIP bus is now working properly. When you ask for a refund, you’re denied, and you then end up riding the same bus you would have ridden in the first place.
Gem Scams, Cheap Antiques, and Other Money-Making Opportunities
If someone tries to convince you that you can make a profit by purchasing gems, antiques, carpets, or any other goods and reselling those items once you get home, run – don’t walk – in the opposite direction. Despite the fact that these scams are common, there are many methods con artists use to perpetrate them, and tourists fall for them on a surprisingly consistent basis. Check out our blog entry on gem scams to learn more about how this tricky scheme usually plays out.
By working with a well-known travel company and planning your trip in advance, you can avoid many of these scams. While you’re out and about, be careful of anything that looks too good to be true, and you’ll be well on your way to avoiding these common Asian travel rip-offs.