{"id":7423,"date":"2018-01-09T19:46:59","date_gmt":"2018-01-09T17:46:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.travel-advisor.eu\/?p=7423"},"modified":"2018-01-09T19:46:59","modified_gmt":"2018-01-09T17:46:59","slug":"9-usual-scams-in-southeast-asia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travel-advisor.eu\/en\/9-usual-scams-in-southeast-asia\/","title":{"rendered":"9 usual scams in Southeast Asia \u2013 ways to avoid them"},"content":{"rendered":"

9 usual scams in Southeast Asia \u2013 ways to avoid them<\/strong><\/p>\n

Planning a Southeast Asia trip? You should read this. \u00a0Some of these scams aren\u2019t that dangerous, but some of them can destroy vacation. Southeast Asia has a lot of beautiful places, but be aware of what can happen to you. Usual scams in Southeast Asia :
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1. <\/strong>The money exchange scam<\/strong><\/p>\n

This kind of scam is typical for countries whose currency has plummeted. You go to the money exchange and exchange your couple of hundred \u00a0dollars for few millions of the local currency. You and the teller both count the money, you take it and go to your hotel. A few hours later, you realize you have less money than you should. Always count the money after receiving them.<\/p>\n

2.Kids scam<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kids in Southeast Asia look adorable. However, some of them are trained to rob people. There\u2019s also the milk scam when a kid on the street isn\u2019t asking for money, but for milk and food. You feel sorry for them and go to the store and you buy food for them, only to see that kid returning the things you bought to the market and sharing the profit. Always be cautious around kids.<\/p>\n

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3.The scooter thief<\/strong><\/p>\n

A very common thing in cities like Delhi and Ho Chi Minh City. The thieves pass by you on a scooter while you\u2019re talking on your phone and they take it away. They are much faster than you and you can\u2019t do anything about it. Hold your bag firm and avoid speaking on your phone when you\u2019re walking.<\/p>\n

4.Ping-pong show scam<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Bangkok\u2019s red light districts, you will see lots of people showing you \u00a0crazy offers for the night. They will try to lure you into one of their ping pong shows. If \u00a0you\u2019re hesitating, they will say that you don\u2019t need to pay an entrance and you just need to pay for your drinks and enjoy the show. You decide you\u2019ve had enough and ask for the bill only to find out that your $2 bill turned into $60. Don\u2019t accept these offers! If you want to see a ping-pong show just go to one of the places that already have reputation for that.<\/p>\n

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5.<\/strong>Tourist information offices scam<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cTourist information\u201d doesn\u2019t have a lot of meaning in Southeast Asia and lot of scammers operate under this name. If they tell you that a place you want to go to is closed or something similar that means it\u2019s just not on their tours.<\/p>\n

6.The closed monument<\/strong><\/p>\n

You are visiting one of the monuments from your list and tuk-tuk driver asks you where are you going. Even if you decide to ignore him, he\u2019ll tell you that the monument is closed. Or that you are not properly dressed to go there if you\u2019re wearing shorts or a skirt.<\/p>\n

If you take the bait he\u2019ll say that he knows a better place to visit. Instead, he\u2019ll take you to a bunch of expensive places, like his friend\u2019s tailor shop, his friend\u2019s restaurant or his friend\u2019s souvenir shop. If you don\u2019t see for yourself that the monument is closed, don\u2019t believe the tuk-tuk drivers.<\/p>\n

7.The tour guide scam<\/strong><\/p>\n

When visiting some of the tourist sights in Southeast Asia, like the Grand Palace of Bangkok or Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, you will meet people introduceing themselves as guides. The official guides don\u2019t target individuals and you can see them with groups.<\/p>\n

8. The special massages<\/strong><\/p>\n

The target of this scam are white males that are wandering around the town on their own. It starts with a girl that approaches you on the street offering you a \u2018special massage\u2019 for a low price. After getting to the \u2018saloon\u2019 you are held by three big guys that will take all of your money\u2026 or else! There are a lot of other safer places where you can do that. The price will be a bit higher, but at least you\u2019ll get to keep the rest of your money.<\/p>\n

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9.The tea party<\/strong><\/p>\n

This starts when a group of girls approaches you when you walking the street. \u00a0maz ask you to take a picture of them or something like that . After somechatting, they invite you to a tea party they organize .You go there,taste different tastes when they start insisting that you should buy one. Bag costs around $120 USD. Just refuse all invites for tea parties.<\/p>\n

Usual scams in Southeast Asia \u2013 ways to avoid them<\/p>\n

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Travel Advisor<\/a> YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

10 mistakes newbie travelers do<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n