Exposing Common Overseas Travel Scams: Chinese Can See Through Italian Tricks at a Glance—We Had Them 10 Years Ago

Nowadays, traveling abroad is very common. But traveling overseas is not like domestic travel, where you can just go spontaneously. It involves various issues like obtaining visas and differing time zones, so most people choose to travel abroad alone. Although public security in many countries is decent, with so many tourists every day, there will inevitably be some ill-intentioned people who make a living by swindling tourists' belongings. Moreover, when traveling alone, you may feel powerless.

Today, I'll reveal a few common overseas scams so that first-time travelers or solo travelers can be forewarned and stay alert.

Bali has been a popular travel destination in recent years, with many celebrities choosing to hold weddings or vacations there. But that doesn't mean every place is beautiful. When you just get off the plane, there are already traps waiting for you.

At Bali airport, there are always seemingly kind people who offer to help carry your luggage. Don't be flattered into thinking you are a charmer, because carrying luggage costs money—otherwise they won't let you go easily.

Another scam is when your checked luggage goes missing. When you are anxious, someone in uniform will come to help you find it, and it will be found quickly. Just as you are about to express gratitude, you find that the so-called "airport staff" start asking for money, $10 per person (about 70 yuan), which is completely a setup.

Similarly, near the Uluwatu Temple in Bali, there are monkeys that look interesting but are relentless in snatching tourists' belongings. They grab anything exposed, such as hats, water bottles, bags, necklaces, etc.

Eventually, a monkey trainer will appear and tell you that if you buy some treats to feed the monkeys, he can get your things back from them... What else can you do? You just have to pay up.

In Paris, France, near metro stations or train stations, you will see some "police officers" in uniform walking around. Unsuspecting people might think the area is very safe.

These so-called "police" are actually scammers in disguise, targeting foreign tourists. They will ask to see your passport and search your backpack and luggage, taking the opportunity to steal valuables or cash.

If you encounter someone in France and can't tell if they are real police, you can ask them to show their police ID. Make sure to check if the ID is forged. Moreover, real police are more concerned with the information on your passport rather than searching your bag for valuables.

Foreign cities always have some street culture that attracts people, but it could be a scam. For example, on street corners in Italy, you might see paper-made cartoon characters dancing gracefully to music. When you are curious, the vendor will say that these cartoons dance because of magnetic fields.

Tourists find the cartoons cute and cheap—only about 2 euros each (about 15 yuan)—and decide to buy one to play with at home. But when you get home, you find that the cartoon doesn't move at all; it's completely lifeless.

In fact, the dancing has nothing to do with magnetic fields. It's all controlled by a barely visible thin string. You just spent 15 yuan on a piece of paper.

However, compared to the first two scams, this one is child's play for Chinese tourists. China already "popularized" this trick over ten years ago.

What other scams have you encountered while traveling abroad? Feel free to leave comments and discuss.

Some images are from the internet.