Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Cops scamming tourists at Bangkok airport
Tourists face a lot of scams if they travel in Southeast Asia, but one especially nasty and hard-to-avoid one has been reported by the BBC. At Bangkok's main airport, cops are accusing international visitors of shoplifting from the airport stores and then extorting money from them to drop the charges. Sometimes a "friendly translator" will help the desperate travelers, and then charge exorbitant fees for his services. This is a variation of the old "zig-zag" scam that is found in Thailand and other countries.
This reminds me of a shake down a couple of guys tried on me in Karachi, Pakistan. I had just left my hotel and was walking along the street when a car pulled up. The driver produced a card saying "Sindh Police" and the other guy said, "Give me your backpack, I need to search for drugs!"
I immediately had my doubts--the card was in English, their vehicle was unmarked, and neither guy wore a uniform. So I replied to them in a very loud voice "Show me some real identification!" They insisted on seeing my bag but neither got out of the car. Since we were on a busy street I kept telling them in a loud voice that I didn't think they were police and wouldn't give them anything until I saw some ID. As a curious crowd began to gather they got angry and said, "You better not have any drugs!" and drove off.
I ran back to my hotel and told the manager all about it. He just shrugged his shoulders and said "Welcome to Pakistan." I had managed to write down the license plate number but he told me the real cops would probably do nothing, so I let it go and continued with my trip.
My tactic worked against this particular trick, but wouldn't work in the Thailand airport scam since the police really are police. While aware travelers can avoid many of the scams they face on the road, this is a tough one. If the cops are in on it, what can you do except cough up and complain to your embassy later? I guess avoiding the airport shops is the only way to reduce your chances of being robbed.
Have you been scammed while traveling? Tell us your story in the comments section.
Filed under: Asia, Pakistan, Thailand, Transportation, Airports, News
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 8)
Sarah Edwards Jul 22nd 2009 5:23PM
was in a small island Carribean nation a few weeks ago. After getting my luggage at the airport on the way out of the airport my husband (who is a native) and I were asked to stand in a line by an airport official to have our luggage searched as all the tourists and some natives were aloud to pass free out of the airport. We waited in line and when it was our turn my husband began conversing with the man at the counter about our luggage in the native language (which I speak). I waited to see what they were going to do...they wanted to search all of our bags and probably confiscate whatever they wanted. I quickly interjected in english before a bag could be opened "speak english...I don't understnad you" "What are you doing with my things" A supervisor came over and were were quickly scurred along and excused from the process...
On another trip to the same island nation I made a stink after our plane was "canceled". The previous plane to our home destination had not left and had seats avaliable. After I made a stink 1 other english speaking man, myself and my husband were aloud to pass through security (woke up security staff to let us pass as its 24hr airport but operational for the few flights they have throughout the night). We boaded the plane while all the other natives were stuck waiting for the next flight out many hours later
gene Jul 22nd 2009 3:17PM
Many years ago, I was in Lahore, Pakistan on business, staying at the Lahore Hilton. I was in the lobby waiting to be picked up by a business associate, when I saw three rather large Pakistani women go to the cashier's window asking for change of two US $100 bills. The cashier said "no".
The women then approached me and asked if I could change the bills for them. Being "Mr. Nice Guy", I said yes. I took out my money, about USD $600, and all of a sudden a felt a spray in my face and a very short period of disorientation. During that time, the woman grabbed all of my money, stashing it under her sari. When I realized what had happened I yelled "help, I've been robbed". Not only did no member of the desk staff nor other guests help me, they acted as if nothing had happened. That was the end of my money.
Lesson to be learned.....I think you know what it is!
Lana Jul 23rd 2009 2:46AM
We were eating breakfast in the middle of the Paris, when two gypsy boys stole my valet of the table as I was paying waiter. Police didn't do anything except keep us waiting for hours (4) just to fill forms.
In Rome I was robed in one of those Exchange places where you convert money. They charged me $160 on $600 transaction. And italian authorities let them do it.
mary Jul 23rd 2009 2:42AM
You always SAY NO
nawlinswineguy Jul 22nd 2009 3:28PM
That is why I go to Prague, Budapest, Barcelona, and all the wine regions of France. Scams are all over the world, but definitely more common in 3rd world countries. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Mandy Jul 23rd 2009 3:56AM
Prague is one of the worst places. I went to visit with family in 07' and was walking down an alley during the day with my cousin. I entered a shop to buy cigarettes; two woman came in behind me but i didn't think anything of it. As i was looking at some ice cream i felt a slight tug on my backpack. I turned around immediately and saw that one of these women had unzipped the front compartment where i kept my wallet. I asked her, "what the f**k she thought she was doing." She held her hands up and repeated "I don't understand," like three times before running outside with her friend. I ran after them yelling about how they had tried to rob me and pointing them out, but they disappeared into the crowd of tourists. Fortunately i caught her, but I was extremely lucky. My backpack was completely unzipped, wallet half-way out, before i noticed anything. These people do this for a living, and are extremely sly.
nason Jul 22nd 2009 3:29PM
Screw -em all and stay home see what happens then bet it will make the news as those cheap american
EB Jul 22nd 2009 7:01PM
years ago, when leaving Bali airport, we were warned by our group director (very reputable firm) that all luggage would be searched, that we were never, never to take our eyes off their hands, even when they spoke to us, as they would swiftly remove something that felt valuable to them. We all followed this, and the airport personnel were furious!
Brian Jul 22nd 2009 3:34PM
I mean did not authorize the charges. All you git to say you did not authorize the three days and you left early, they have to reverse and in the investigation they will find that you did not stay at the hotel for all six days..
mcap Jul 22nd 2009 4:16PM
So these tourists are not guilty but they are paying anyway.Must be something in the water over there.
John Jul 23rd 2009 7:34AM
The only scamming to which I have ever fallen victim has been at the hands of the airlines: BA, Aer Lingus, Ryan Air and Continental in particular and I am not just refering to the outrageous fees.
Bill Callahan Jul 22nd 2009 3:49PM
1972, near Pachuca, Mexico. Me just back from Vietnam on a 650 Yamaha motorcycle. In a rural area I'm flagged down at what looks like a police checkpoint. I do a 180, slow but don't stop. Some dingbat says he's police & needs a ride to the police station. I accelerate...no problem. Don't let yourselves get pushed around. Get in their face more so than they do. Speak up...LOUDLY! 95% of the time, they'll back off being the punks they are.
clairekellock Jul 23rd 2009 11:16PM
BOMB EM ALL,
It seems that the biggest 'loser' is yourself. Comments like yours show ignorance and only brings shame to our country. It is clear that you have never traveled outside the US and you are racist. You are just the sort of person that cowers behind the computer spitting out trash and I bet you have done absolutely nothing in an attempt to achieve what you want.
Get the facts before you open your mouth and don't do it unless you contribute to what you want
Talk is cheap and comments like yours don't get us anywhere
Sean Jul 22nd 2009 4:38PM
In February I was in Budapest, Hungary for a weekend trip. My friends and I decided to go to another club on the way back from the bar. This place was pretty dingy and when we arrived we were the only people in the club. We sat down and had two beers each over an hour before asking for the bill. The total came to $3000 dollars U.S.!!! After attempting to dispute the "muscle" slapped my friend in the face, before taking us to knife point, and forcing us to withdraw our daily maximums from the ATM (in all $1500). When we reported it to a nearby police officer he told us he would circle the block to talk to us. He never returned.
Bomb em all Jul 22nd 2009 4:00PM
Thats why the rest of the world has such a bad rep. I will stay in the United States and hopefully some day all these losers will be kicked out of our country and sent back to where they belong, with the rest of the losers
dudley Jul 22nd 2009 4:11PM
I was ripped off in Washington, D.C when taking a cab from the airport.
Sally Jul 22nd 2009 4:21PM
OMG - A BAD COP. WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TOO? LOL
They are a bunch of pigs, in any country.
Harrison Jul 22nd 2009 4:20PM
We get 100's of scam emails every hour of the day. There are scam artist all over the world. We don't know how anyone falls for the email scams, as they all are the same. Someone left you money. What a joke ...
Sandy Jul 22nd 2009 4:14PM
Please, people, just stay home.
Michael Jul 22nd 2009 6:23PM
Back packed around the world a few years ago.
Only got ripped 2 times as far as I know. Had some interesting attempts.
One in Rome on a crowded subway, a guy tried to empty my bum pack. Kicked the s**t out of my shins to get me to let go but I held on and finally he got off the car as the crowd thinned out. The second was in Paris going thru a turnstyle in the subway, a guy slid behind me in the same turnstyle and tried to pick my front lower pocket in my cargo pants and I felt and grabbed my pocket and yelled "Hey" and he quickly walked off. Both times the police shrugged and said "oh, well". The 2 times ripped was once, as I booked the trip through a travel agent here in the states, he sent me all the plane tickets at once (13 tickets) and I didn't think to even count them. The missing one I discovered when I was leaving Istanbul to Athens. It wasn't there. Called the agent in the states and he said "sorry, you buy another and I'll reimburse you when you get back". Didn't happen, he said tough. The second was in New Dehli. I wanted to travel on the overnite express to Mumbai. I was on my way to buy the ticket but was intercepted by a man who said the ticket office was reserved for locals and I had to go to the "Government Tourist- Office". Upon arriving the gentleman there said that maybe he may be able to get me a ticket but as there were no more tickets he would have to charge a premium. Turns out, as I found out later, the $24 second class ticket cost me about $150.00. So, unlike the US, I found out that "Government Office", doesn't necessarily mean an Official Office of the Government. All in all, seventeen countries, 35 cities in 2 months, for being the first time out of the country and on my own, I felt kinda lucky that the experience wasn't more costly and the trip was one of those once in a lifetime quests.