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TikTok account @isotravels has released a series of videos titled "Known scams in every country" and while they don't cover every country, we can forgive the clickbait—underneath the slightly misleading title lies a comprehensive list of all the dirty ways in which people try to rob tourists blind.

From "artists" to "train inspectors", scammers come in many disguises and they're willing to use every trick in the book to make a dollar. Continue scrolling and check out what you should be careful of when traveling abroad.

#2

France

France

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Shelp
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Happened to me once. I kept the pen they handed me because I genuinely thought they offered pens for free.

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To learn more about potential dangers abroad, Bored Panda got in touch with a travel blogger and speaker known online as A Lady in London. From what she has seen in the 112 countries she's been to, the places scammers target tourists the most are the places where tourism is prevalent.

"The more tourists there are in a place, the more scammers have easy targets. This is particularly true in big cities or places where large crowds of tourists congregate on a regular basis," A Lady in London said. "Touristy restaurants, street performances, and other areas can fall into this category as well."

#3

Turkey

Turkey

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Serial pacifist
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also in Istanbul, a shoe cleaner 'accidentally' drops the brush passing by, when you call him and give it to him, he expresses grattitude by almost forcefully cleaning your shoes (while talking about his allegedly sick child in hospital) and then asks for compensation that's worth more than the shoes. Fell for it myself, but didn't pay him more than a proper amount.

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#4

India

India

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bryguy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I booked a hotel room why on earth would I trust the word of a random taxi driver that my room was overbooked? And not bother to call the hotel or anything... ya. ok.

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We often dismiss stories about these experiences, thinking only naive and trusting people can fall for these cheap gimmicks. But according to American traveler Rick Steves, even sophisticated travelers can become victims; there are just too many subtle ways to be scammed — a cabbie pads your fare, a shop clerk suddenly inflates prices, a public Internet terminal records your password, or a waiter offers a special with a 'special' increased price. The list goes on.

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#5

Canada

Canada

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bryguy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happens a lot in Toronto. There is also a lot of "fundraising" scams where a kid will hand you a chocolate bar and the adult demands money to support community youth or sports or a fake charity and if you don't pay will make a scene of you taking the childs chocolate without donating. To avoid all this, just don't put your hand out when a random person is handing you something.

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In Europe, for example, Spain is considered the worst country for tourist scams. A few years ago, a survey by financial comparison website money.co.uk found that more than one in five UK holidaymakers who visited the country in the last year became victims of misdemeanors like the ones you see in the pictures. France came in second, and Italy was third. A similar study found that Barcelona was the worst city in Europe for scammers, with Paris and Rome closely behind.

But A Lady in London thinks tourist scams exist nearly everywhere, and it's often more about the specific scammers rather than the country as a whole. "Individuals who want to take advantage of tourists will operate regardless of location. Some places may have stricter laws against scams or punishments for them, so those countries might deter scams more. But that won't necessarily stop everyone. Culture and income disparities can play into whether there are more scammers, too," she pointed out.

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Her biggest advice to avoid these situations is to always be aware of your surroundings and to trust your instincts. "Being aware of your surroundings will help you avoid common tourist scams like pickpocketing, and trusting your gut will help you avoid people who may seem friendly and helpful but are actually trying to swindle you," A Lady in London said. "Things like money belts and bag locks can help from a logistical standpoint, too."

Have you personally been wronged by scammers in the countries you visited? Let us know in the comments below. By sharing our experiences, we can help each other spot these opportunists before they cast their nets on us.

#10

Nigeria

Nigeria

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#13

Iran

Iran

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#14

Egypt

Egypt

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#15

Romania

Romania

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Andrei Anghel
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm from Romania and never saw or heard that. Instead you may get the "French", "Italian", "Portugal" or "Australian" treatment. Really, there are many was to get scammed in Romania

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Teodora Achimfiev
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are enought turist scams in Romania but this is not one of them

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Kevin Donegan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't get beyond the use of the incorrect use of "there." It should be, "People will put their painting on the floor ..."

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COCO puff
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This never happens in Romania, like never, ever and I live here. Bored Panda get your information right

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Wandaluzt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's bugger all to do with Bored Panda. As it quite clearly says they ripped these off from another site. As they do most of their content. So how about you get your information right?

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Cristina Ilinca
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where did you see that in Romania? I never heard of it, although I can tell you lots of scams here.

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i0ana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thats just fake! At least write about true scams,not fictional :/

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Sandra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Romania, never evet heard of this 😂😂 would rather go with taxi drivers trying to rip u off or beggars in the street.

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Alin Coca
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Strange. I'm from Romania and I never seen or heard about something like this.

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Nona Bgo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Taxis, beggars... yes. But this is not something I have ever seen in Romania.

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Tahani
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And London and Paris too, they will ask money if you take a picture too

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#16

Thailand

Thailand

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JennyLaRue
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are also known for taking you into tailors shops where they'd get a cut of any purchases (and you're obviously given a hard sell).

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#17

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

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Not Proud British
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not a scam I am aware of and I'm from the UK. Here they tend to just pickpocket or downright mug you.

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#20

Spain

Spain

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Jan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

we can actually some all this information up to: never trust children in any country... (?!)

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#21

Germany

Germany

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Jan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

total nonsence... what?? 40 year old german and never heard of it...

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#22

Ireland

Ireland

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#23

Mexico

Mexico

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Verena Gitterle
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really? When someone pretended to be from my country, I would speak to him in my language. An "Accent" is not enough proof.

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