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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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#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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#18

America

America

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Niffler_13
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm from the US, and I've traveled all over the country and I've never heard of this. I've been followed by homeless people and harassed by a guy in a spider-man costume, but I've never been given a "gift"

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

This happened to me in Times Square in NYC, except it was a CD and the guy was so lovely. I did give him money but I didn't feel done.

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Jette Wang Wahnon
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This made me laugh as that was right there it happened to me as well.3 guys,though and the music they played was terrific. Story was they did not have money to hire a studio and thus was selling this home-made cd.It started dawning on me they were not legit when I said I could introduce them to some-one (my uncle at the time was a big shot in the music industry) and they were not too keen. We talked and laughed for about 25 minutes and then I handed them a 20 $ and took their photo and what turned out to be an empty cd. Scammed,but not sorry...

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

This is more of a thing in NYC i live in an urban area and this has never happened

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

(Specifically New York City): Penn Station... someone will forcefully help you buy a bus ticket and then expect money for giving you help you don't want. ALSO, the Staten Island Ferry is FREE. Don't let people in front of the station tell you otherwise. "No, you should take this Ferry for *X amount of cash*. The State Island Ferry is only for workers, not tourists." No... the Staten Island Ferry is FREE and it is for everyone. You can see the Statue of Liberty from it. Recommend it.

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

Tapes? Are we in the early 90s? This happens with CDs in NYC but I've never had a problem with being able to tell them "no thanks".

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

Happened to me in San Francisco. I was walking near Market St, a guy handed me a CD and said he was an amateur rapper and then asked me for $10.

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

Next you will tell me they will share a playlist on Apple Music and ask for money!!!! This maybe a 30 year old trick or something.

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

In New Orleans, there are scammers that say, 'I bet you 20 bucks I can tell you where you got your shoes.' If you're stupid enough to engage them, they tell you 'You got those shoes right here on da sidewalk, right here.' Then other men join them to ensure you hand over the money. I watched it happen to a young Australian tourist from a little backcountry town who had no idea what just happened to him.

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

I am American and live in Hollywood and yes they do but it's CDs and they do it in the cities and on the beaches ALL the time

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

it's CDs and yes they do in the cities and at popular beaches

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Anna Harding
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m from the US. Never heard of this. But years ago in NYC, dudes would splash your windshield with dirty water and wipe it up when you were at a stop light. Then they would demand $$ because they “cleaned” your windshield 😡 we didn’t want them to break a window so we paid them.

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

That happens in NYC quite a bit. I saved an exchange student friend of mine from falling for that scam once, so the scammer started yelling at me. As he was shouting pu**y at my retreating back, I shouted back "And proud of it!" without turning around.

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

sounds so 90s ... an actual cassette tape? or CD? have to ask what decade these people are living in (be hard-pressed to keep a straight face if someone handed me either one)

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Don't Look
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what was this, back in 95? Geez. And who the hell comes to the states anymore?

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

This happened once to me and I said no thank you. He kept giving it to me so I said thanks, I'll leave a review and got in my car lol

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

My parents taught me many decades ago to keep my hands to myself and never to accept things from strangers...

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

The last time someone gave me a mixed tape, he didn't demand nothing. Just said thank you and walked off.

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

American here, I haven't received a mix tape since the 90's.

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

now they come all friendly and talk to you, ask your name, then write it on a record, then act like you have to buy it because this was their last one and they can't sell it anymore except to you because your name is on it, if you refuse they start to demand or get in your face about it.

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

what they do now is they come up to you with a record, ask your name, then WRITE IT ON THERE WITH A PERMANENT PEN, then try to sell it to you, if you say no they are like Öh but I can´t get your name off :(¨

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

CDs are out of style too. Most millenianls and gen xers use streaming services like itunes. Who uses mixtapes any more?

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

More lies to make Black people look bad! The one about Toronto is also racist garbage.

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

Or they will just shoot you because this country is a pile of garbage

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CORLEONE
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2 years ago

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In 'Murica there are all kinds of scams, including churches and hospitals as well.

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varwenea
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2 years ago

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Down voting this because fact is they just shoot you. It's sadly getting more and more violent.

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Hello
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what? Yes, America's firearm problem is out of control, but if you are just walking around your town, you aren't just going to get shot in mid daylight. Especially not in cities (where this scam applies, such as NYC)

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#20

Spain

Spain

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Jan
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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
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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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