24 Common Tourist Scams in Europe

Fake Free Wi-Fi

Don't ever connect to an open, free Wi-Fi network. With that, I mean a network which doesn't require a password, you know, the ones where you just tap on the network, and it presumably connects you to the internet.

Scammers set that up and wait for victims to connect to the “free Wi-Fi” so that they can steal all your information from your device. These can appear around open town squares or while you are sitting in a restaurant.

Connect to networks that belong to an establishment and ask the waiter or reception for the proper Wi-Fi connection name. If the establishment has an open Wi-Fi, they will let you know.

Bracelet Scam

The bracelet scam is prevalent in Paris and Rome and you will encounter it at narrow public bottleneck walkways or next to well-known landmarks.

Mostly black Africans are in on this one, and they basically approach you calling you their friend, trying to put a bracelet on your wrist before you can react to it.

They know that some people will be thrown off, and they bank on that. They will say “it's a gift” and a minute later, they will ask for money. And if you say no, their demeanor will change.

Just keep away from them and learn to say firmly “No”.

Restaurant Review Fraud

The restaurant (and also, generally speaking, all tourist related establishments) scam mostly came to be in the last few years.

These establishments have hundreds and thousand of 5-star reviews, which is highly deceptive, making the 5-star review a gigantic scam on Google Maps.

How does it work, you ask? People are invited by a waiter to give the establishment a 5-star review by dropping the name and a few kind words in the comments and in return, they get free shots or each a drink. The waiter gets a bonus reward every time they are mentioned.

I have seen this practice in some of the busiest places in Paris, Milan, Prague, and Budapest. Do not trust places that have thousands of 5-star reviews.

Fake Tourist Info Points

Tourist Info offices in Europe are officially run by a government department and not by private corporations.

Every major capital has an official tourist info office, and then there are places that pretend to be the real deal by misleadingly calling the place tourist info. We have encountered this problem mainly in Eastern Europe so far.

These fake tourist info points sell you information, material, and charge exuberant prices. Some even have a dodgy exchange office connected to the tourist spot.

Why are the governments not closing them down? It probably is a corruption issue or else these things wouldn't exist.

How to find the real Tourist office? Search on the internet for the official tourist office in xyz city and save the spot in your maps. Be aware that the internet is full of fake tourist websites too.

The Beggar Swindle

Unfortunately, Europe has been dealing with organized beggar groups, with many having a Roma background and others are from the Middle East.

There is no way to know who's really in need and who belongs to this network of swindlers and scammers. These groups can be connected to other crime organizations as well.

But most cities have a system in place, thanks to NGOs and other groups, who tend to people on the streets. Some cities in Europe, such as Luxembourg, have outlawed begging all together. If you want to help the ones in need, go through an official channel.

Begging swindlers are most common in busy shopping lane areas, at narrow passageways on bridges etc. Many kneel on the floor and hold out a cap for money.

Fake Petitions

NGOs hire agencies in Europe, who in turn hire youngsters to walk up to people so to convince them to buy into an NGO membership. These are legit petitions and money is never exchanged, they just take your address, and they aren't concerned about Tourists.

Fake petitions are scammers walking around in touristy areas pretending to be deaf. They mostly target Americans.

The petition has names and signatures on it and presumably the amount that people have given in cash, but that's all a lie. Don't fall for it!

If someone is ready to swipe your card on the spot, don't do it either, as it's not recommended.

Generally, speaking, keep distance from similar set-ups, such as cults and religious groups. They will try to get you to buy into something more precious, and you will pay with your soul.

The Money Exchange Scam

Most random money exchange offices are a sort of scam.

They lure you in with 0% fees, but the exchange rate is just horrible, and they may throw in some hidden fees when you are about to check out. So avoid those, please.

Then there is a second scam, most prevalent in Prague. Some random stranger approaches you, offering you a great money exchange deal, just that they end up giving you a devalued currency, which has zero value.

Cups and Ball Game

The most famed scammer game in Paris is the cups and ball game. Here is how this works:

You see a dude having three cups and a ball, and you can bet, and then you are invited to guess where the ball is. The problem is, the ball is hidingly moved, and you will never get it right.

You will see a set of people standing around while you are watching, and you witness how one of them wins $200.

The fact of it, the winner is part of the gang and they are constructing this make-believe of a possible win to lure you in.

Just don't participate and keep away from these people. They have many more gang members waiting nearby to deal with unhappy players.

I need Help Scam

This has happened to me a few times, and for some reason they don't seem to target my wife, who's European.

A person comes to you and asks you for money or to buy food for them. Others have a more elaborate sob story. Again, it's difficult to know if someone is in real need, but it's suspicious that they do not approach locals.

Just say quickly no and move on. You don't know if they have pickpocket friends lurking around.

Dodgy Tour Trip Sellers

You will have noticed these bus and boat trip sellers in all major cities. They work for hop on, hop off tour operators.

They offer packages, and I'm not saying all are bad (my SIL loved the big bus tour in Paris), but you need to be careful.

A few of these sellers are dishonest, misleading or scam you with expired tickets. Some of them get angry when you take a photo of a public square with them in it, and that smells foul.

Check the ticket properly after your purchase and make sure that they explain the stops properly and the timings.

Keep in mind that the bus tours can be useful to get around, but that you might end up stuck in traffic most of the time. Furthermore, they are not always on time, or not all bus stops are equally well served. Many disillusioned customers can tell the tale worldwide.

The Painting on the Floor Scam

We have encountered this one mainly in Italy, and it involved a group of Africans “selling” paintings. Well, they look like paintings but are just printed AI slob.

They place them on the floor in busy areas, for example right in front of the cathedral in Milan or Florence, and then they wait for people to come too close.

The claim will be that you walked on the painting and that you damaged it. Then you will, of course, start to argue and a group of them will pressurize you into paying because you will be afraid.

If you see this scam, and some patrolling cops nearby, let them know, please.

Candy Shop Scam

Fancy candy shops have been appearing in all major capitals, and some of them are just a few meters from each other. On some level, it's some obscure scheme, for sure.

The candy in these shops is just ridiculously overpriced, and you'd get the same candy in a regular grocery store.

Largely speaking, keep away from weird smaller shops that sell touristy foods much pricier than grocery stores and check the expiry date!

Misleading Mickey Mouse/ Roman Legionary & Camera Photo Trick

The Mickey Mouse, as seen in the picture below, is a person who's mostly a member of the cups and ball game gang because that Mickey Mouse is always nearby.

Nonetheless, the Mickey Mouse has a separate tourist scam going. They will wave at families with kids, kids will ask for a picture with Mickey Mouse and then the Mickey Mouse will ask for an outrageous price, which was not disclosed before the picture was taken. Keep away from that figurine and others like this.

Gladiators/Legionaries in Italy follow a similar Spiel. Now, I'm not saying that you can't take pictures to take home. But if you do, ask them first how much it will cost you, and don't be so careless as to assume that they do it out of their good heart. They don't work for the City Tourist authority, and besides, honest people will tell you the cost before the photoshoot.

The Camera Photo Trick is similar. Some random person asking if you and your family or friends want a picture taken in front of a well-known landmark. They are quick to take your phone or camera and when they are done, they will ask for money. It's misleading.

Forced Restaurant Tips

Tips are not mandatory in Europe, all over Europe. Tips are only given to a waiter if the service and food was outstanding.

Europeans seldom give tips and if they do, they round up. So, if the bill is $48.80, they will round up to $50.

Lately, a certain type of waiter has been pressurizing tourists to leave a tip. They will formulate it in such a way that it seems that you have to leave a 10% or 20% tip.

We also noticed that they target Americans and South Americans in particular. They would never dare to do this with a European. Occasionally, they thought we were Americans, so we got to feel the treatment, and yes, I can see how anybody would fall for this. They make you feel crap and that's not right.

If you pay by card, and they ask for a tip, let them know that you might (not sure) keep some change on the table when you leave.

By the way, good establishments and honest waiters never beg for tips. It's the tourist traps that let this happen.

Restaurant Price Scam & Hidden Charges

Avoid restaurants in busy tourist areas all together. Walk a few side roads out of the main tourist place, and you will find an honest, decent food place. Go where the locals go.

Because scammy establishments hide food rates or give you a tourist food menu with inflated prices, or they will add odd charges to the bill.

Double-check your bill always and ask the waiter if something is not clear. The waiter has to give you a bill and make sure they do so.

Just as an info, in Italy they have a special service related charge for sitting guests, which is known as Coperto and that's not a scam.

Also, tap water isn't free in Europe, free refills of soda aren't a thing either, and I recommend you read up my Essential Europe Travel Tips Guide.

Car Vignette Scam

We crossed to Slovakia over the highway and realized that we forgot to buy a Slovakia highway vignette. Most highways in Europe, except the German Autobahn, are paid roads.

I quickly logged in online to buy a Slovakia vignette, but in my hurry, I didn't realize that it wasn't the official website. So, I ended up buying an overpriced vignette. It's the real deal, just not at the official rate.

Buy only from official websites if you get the E-Vignette, and be careful when purchasing the physical version. For example, scammy shops in Czechia tend to sell overpriced vignettes at the Austrian Czech border.

Fake Nuns and Monks at the Vatican

Yep, fake nuns and monks ask for donations at the Vatican in Rome.

Just don't engage with them. If you feel the need to donate money to the church, you will certainly come across donation boxes in the Vatican churches.

Flower Rose Scheme

The flower rose scheme targets couples and usually younger couples. The dude will approach the couple with a bouquet of flowers and give a rose to the girl, without anybody prompting him to do so.

He then proceeds to ask for money, and that's typically an excessive amount. The man will feel awkward and this makes this scam so annoying.

They target new couples on purpose.

Car Rental Damage Fraud

Always get rentals from reputable international companies. Add a bonus protection, by purchasing the scheduled rental car with a credit card that has an insurance covering damage.

When they pass the keys to you, take pictures and a video of the vehicle. Outside and inside the vehicle, all angels. If you have concerns, and you saw a damage, let them know before you drive the car.

Car rental damage fraud cannot happen to you if you have proof that the damage wasn't your doing.

Check the invoice, for odd extra charges. Ask them where you can pick up the car, and if it's a garage, ask them to bring it out to light so that you can see properly if there is a scratch.

Fake Police Officers

Police officers can appear anywhere, and it is difficult to know if they are real or fake. If you have your doubts, call the local emergency line and explain to them that you are with the police and if they can confirm that they are real cops.

Real cops have a proper uniform, a car that is visibly a police car, a badge and usually, they have a camera and transmitters.

Cops in Europe can legally ask you for an ID and you are obliged to move around with a proper ID such as an ID card or a passport. You don't want to hand over your documents to fake police, so be careful and keep your eyes open!

Room Bill Extra Charges

Go through your room bill and don't just skim through because dishonest hotels can add extra charges without having informed you.

A decent hotel front desk will explain to you in detail every charge on your bill. Every hotel has to provide an invoice and if they refuse, it's a huge red flag.

Euronet ATM Tourist Ripoff

Euronet ATMs are everywhere in Europe. They are always placed in the most touristy congested areas.

They charge Tourist debit and credit cards with a much higher rate than local cardholders. But the locals don't use these ATMs.

The system is set up very misleadingly when you follow the directions on screen.

I, personally, avoid them, except there is no other option, and I recommend you do the same because you have better choices in the cities. Look for a local bank, and banks always have an ATM pod.

On the same topic, keep an eye out for ATM skimmers. They rob the details from your card when you insert the card into the green part of the ATM. Skimmers are placed over the real ATM card insertion point, and they appear to be part of the machine, but they are not and come off. The same fraudulent mechanism is used on debit/credit card paying machines in stores.

Fake Artifact and Handmade Souvenirs

Artifact and handmade souvenir shops want to make you believe that what they sell to you are real artifacts and vintage items. It's just, they are not.

These are just mass-produced items from China.

We spotted one in Venice, Italy. The Souvenirium in Prague might sell real handmade items, I can't tell from the outside. If you are unsure, go into the shop, look at the item in detail, and with a trained eye, you can make out the fake easily.

Overpriced Long Route Taxi Scam

I hate booking a taxi anywhere in the world because they can overcharge you easily or take you on a longer route, and you are left having to pay a large unexpected sum.

The problem is, not every city and country has a system set up such as Uber taxis. You will have to do your research for each city and I recommend booking a registered taxi at the airport as an alternative, for example.