Most Common Tourist Scams in Europe to Be Aware Of
Europe is packed with historic landmarks, scenic train rides, and excellent coffee, but for all the good, there’s also a steady stream of travel scams waiting for unsuspecting tourists. These small-time tricks can ruin a day or drain a wallet. Knowing what to look out for can make a big difference in how your trip unfolds.
Bracelet Trick at Major Landmarks
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Someone might try to tie a string bracelet around your wrist before you’ve had time to react. They’ll say it’s free, a gift, a blessing, whatever sounds friendly enough to stop you. Once the bracelet is on, they’ll ask for money and won’t leave easily.
Fake Petition Signers
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These scammers usually hang out near popular plazas and train stations with a clipboard in hand. They’ll ask you to sign a petition, usually something vague, like “support the deaf community.” While you’re writing, one person might rifle through your backpack or grab your phone.
Sketchy Currency Exchanges
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Exchange booths close to major attractions often advertise decent-looking rates but leave out commission fees or flip the rate terms. They list how much they sell currency for, not what they’ll give you when you trade in. The trick plays on urgency, as tourists in a rush tend to skip the math.
Tampered ATM Machines
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Some freestanding ATMs, especially those labeled “Euronet,” charge high fees and terrible exchange rates. Others may be fitted with skimmers to steal your card details. Stick to machines located inside or near real banks, cover the keypad while entering your PIN, and decline “conversion” offers to avoid inflated rates.
Cab Meter Games
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Tourists fresh off a train or flight make prime targets. Some taxi drivers fake a broken meter, take scenic detours, or use meters that tick unnaturally fast. Others “accidentally” give change in the wrong currency. This is common in cities like Prague or Athens.
Photo Ops with a Hidden Price Tag
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You might run into people dressed as Roman gladiators, Venetian opera singers, or costumed cartoon characters. Snap a photo with them, and they’ll demand a tip—often aggressively. In some cities, this can mean 10 or 20 euros for a single selfie.
The ‘Helpful’ Ticket Assistant
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You’re fumbling with the train ticket machine when a stranger steps up to “help.” It seems friendly until you realize your cash is gone, your ticket doesn’t work, or they’ve handed you a fake day pass. These “assistants” usually hover near kiosks in major cities.
Fake Officers
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They’ll flash a badge and ask to see your passport or wallet, claiming they’re checking for counterfeit bills or illegal medicines. Tourists panic and hand over everything. These impersonators often work near transit hubs. Real officers don’t randomly search wallets on sidewalks.
Overpriced Restaurant Surprises
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Tourist-trap restaurants sometimes bring extra dishes you didn’t order, like bread or olives, then charge steep fees. Others push expensive off-menu items and act surprised when the bill is disputed. Always confirm prices beforehand and check the menu for per-gram pricing, especially in Italy and Portugal.
Map-On-The-Table Scam
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In outdoor cafés, a stranger might lay a map or a petition on your table while asking a question. Beneath the paper, their hand is swiping your phone. The distraction works because it seems harmless. Avoid leaving phones, wallets, or sunglasses on restaurant tables, even if you’re seated and watching.
The Long-Lost Ring Trick
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In cities like Paris, someone may “find” a gold ring near your feet and offer it to you. They’ll pretend they thought you dropped it. Then they ask for a thank-you payment. The ring is cheap brass, and they probably pulled it out of their own pocket moments before.
Street Games That Aren’t Games
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Shell games or cup-and-ball tricks often draw a crowd on sidewalks in places like Berlin or Barcelona. The catch is that the crowd includes paid accomplices. The dealer lets someone win, but lures in actual tourists to bet. Once money’s on the line, you never win.
Bogus Hotel Inspectors
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A scammer might call your hotel room pretending to be the front desk, asking you to confirm your credit card info due to a “billing error.” Sometimes, someone in person claims to need to “check” something in the room. This scam usually targets jet-lagged guests.
Fake Travel Package Sellers
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Too-good-to-be-true discounts on boat tours or “skip-the-line” museum access are common in popular squares. Sellers may flash laminated brochures or uniforms, but there’s no real tour, and the tickets don’t scan. Stick with apps or official tourism offices.
Friendship Through Flattery
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Solo travelers are often approached by strangers offering to hang out or show them around. The walk ends at a bar or restaurant, where drinks are suddenly costly. Sometimes, it leads to spiked drinks or stolen credit cards.
The Flower Giver Scam
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A small child hands you a flower or a rosemary sprig near a church or market. Before you can politely return it, someone demands payment, often pretending to be a parent or vendor. This is common in cities like Florence and Seville. Don’t take anything that’s pushed into your hand.
Lost Tourist Ruse
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Someone with a map asks for help finding a hotel or monument. While you’re helping, another person sneaks up to steal your bag. In crowded squares, this can happen quickly. These setups rely on your instinct to assist. Hold on to your belongings even during innocent conversations.
Bogus Damage Blame
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At a museum or public plaza, someone might accuse you of damaging a souvenir or knocking over an item they planted. Then comes a demand for payment. It’s designed to cause panic and guilt. Refuse to pay anything on the spot and ask to speak to a local authority or official guide.
The Lucky Coin Trap
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A street performer may hand you a coin and say it’s for good luck. If you pocket it, they’ll yell that you stole it or owe money. This tactic thrives on embarrassment and public pressure.
Fake Wi-Fi Networks
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Free Wi-Fi signs lure people into connecting to a scammer’s hotspot. These look like hotel or café networks but are set up to harvest login credentials and credit card info. If a Wi-Fi name doesn’t match the venue’s signage or password, it’s best to avoid connecting.