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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 4 of 8)
cookiegirl Jul 27th 2009 8:49AM
Happens all of the time in the small feeder towns on the way to Myrtle Beach, SC. They set speed traps, dropping from 55 MPH to 25 MPH within a few feet and no notice. Even if you know about them and have obeyed them, they will stop you. It's always the same thing......you are always going exactly 16 MPH over the posted speed limit. They know that you are 4 or more hours away from home and won't/can't come back later to contest it. Then they tell you to call later in the week and they'll see what they can do to "lower" the ticket. When you call, they lower it to 9MPH over, just enough to keep you from getting points and also not make it worth contesting. After paying a VERY hefty fine to them by mail, it's all done. Guess these little towns need to pad their coffers!
Jade Jul 22nd 2009 5:02PM
This post has nothing to do with the president. Its like you are digging for a way to point your finger at him.
chris Jul 22nd 2009 9:35PM
Stay in America. The rest of the world is a real shithole. Although, with illegal immigration and our many sanctuary cities, America isn't far behind.
dinosaur Jul 22nd 2009 5:05PM
Once upon a time foreign countries were wary of scamming Americans (Teddy Roosevelt), but our wimpy, liberal, politically correct, government won't stand up and tell these corrupt countries to stop it, instead our gov just keeps giving those worthless crooks more foreign aid so they will "like us." Who gives a crap if they like us. just kick their butts if they mistreat our citizens.
Daluga Jul 22nd 2009 5:17PM
I have been around people from all over the world and have noticed these people were trying to get away from their countries for areason - their countries suck. The plain and simple truth is that the American culture is more refined than most of the world even the UK is behind in such things as manners. If you go to a country were it is known that they are into scamming people do not go there. If you are as big as a house then go anywhere you please but be ready to kick the shit out of the assholes who are really looking for a good beating. I myself had to deal with the same crap and I cave a pretty good beating to a few of these unsuspecting suspects. Pun intneded. Take out the biggest one then make shreds out of the rest of them. They will think twice about doing it again especially to an American. Hey we were the big dogs in World War II. It is time to act like it again and drop the hammer on these assholes. That is my rant for the day, Thank You.
LUKE Jul 24th 2009 9:06AM
You meathead. You do realise the reason there is such contempt for Americans (specifically) in alot of other countries is because of the same attitudes you are showing here? I think you need a massive reality check here. As I should also mention - if anything, with the current global economic situation and the fact that worldwide markets have realised that America is no longer a country you want to build the foundations of your own economy and trade arrangements on, I think that America is actually less evolved than alot of other countries. But, maybe I have just travelled with my eyes a little more open and without my fists clenched compared to your Terror Tourism Technique. Oh, and what pun were you referring to? I see no puns in your initial comment.
cweeezy Jul 22nd 2009 5:19PM
bigmike you are ridiculous. nothing bravo said was racist at all. i'm pretty sure by neanderthal he was referring to obama's lack of reasonable decisions. whats racist, however, is the fact that the majority of minorities voted for obama only because of his race. mccain clearly had a better plan but that meant nothing to anyone.
Sean McLachlan Jul 22nd 2009 5:19PM
It's a truism among writers not to insult your audience, but I really have to wonder why some of you people are reading a travel blog.
JB Jul 22nd 2009 5:28PM
Scammed in Shanghai. A local woman helped me get a phone card for my phone. No problem there. Walking down Nanjing Road, we decided to stop for a coffee in thans for her help, and she said it was her birthday. She called a friend to join us.
Even before sitting, she ordered drinks and a plate of fruit. Ok I thought, perhaps more than I would have done, but what the heck. The bill came and it was for anout $130 US, about 1000 RMB.
The hostess was obviously in on the deal. I agreed to pay 100RMB, about $13 then headed for the front door, and asked to use the phone to call the police. No phone was offered, so I left. I should have paid nothing, and just kept asking for the police.
These scams workin a foreign country where no one seems to speak English, and you the foreigner fears that they might actually be able to influence the police into arresting you, so many foreigners pay the bill.
Actually in China the foreigner is pretty safe, so keep asking for the police. You are much more likely to be asked to leave owing nothing.
KCW Jul 22nd 2009 5:28PM
I didn't vote for Obama but how is he scamming the Country? He is doing what he said he would do. We won't know for years whether it will work out for the best but he had a plan, made it known, got elected and now he is trying to implement it.
Great Ideas always face Violent Opposition from little minds. Whether he has great ideas or not remains to be seen but the Violent Opposition is certainly present. (As are the Little Minds).
I've been overseas more than 90 times and I've only been scammed in my own Country. Been Scammed in Hawaii on vacation. My own damn fault.
Lucy Jul 22nd 2009 5:39PM
I took a trip to Paris last April with my family. One day we were walking around the Tuleries Gardens and taking in the sights. As we were walking an eldery woman walked up to us holding a "gold"(being a jeweler's daughter, I immediately knew that the ring was not gold at all) ring that supposedly someone has lost and she had found. She wanted to know if it was ours, which it wasn't. She then started asking if we wanted to by it, which we didn't. She then started explaining to us that she hadn't eaten in several days and that she wanted a little money to go buy a sandwich and a coffee. As we kept on refusing, she eventually gave up and walked away. We watched as she walked up to a group of women with several more of these rings, then watched as she walked over to another person and gave a completely different story. Then we realized that they were gypsies and were only trying to scam us!
Jane Petro Jul 22nd 2009 5:41PM
Over the years I have traveled extensively doing medical missions. Rarely have I encountered any problems. However, I have had supplies confiscated by customs in Brazil only to be able to buy them back outside the airport. More recently colleagues of mine had all their medical equipment impounded, despite having all the proper documents, and were unable to get the stuff released, which seriously impacted their ability to do any work once they got to the rural area where they had planned on operating. Once, enroute to Lebanon, my medical luggage got "lost" in Istanbul. A representative of the government helped the airline "find" it several days later....these things happen. When you travel, you just have to suspend some of your sense of entitlement. And beware of scams.
pete Jul 23rd 2009 10:47AM
Had something like this happen when I went to Spain for an assignment. Told the guys I was a freelance stringer for travel magazines. They asked a few questions, which I was able to answer because I'd read Conde Naste Traveller and had read Berlinger's on previous trips. I told them to look in future issues of travel mags for my story and their names and descriptions. They decided it was best to leave me alone.
ron Jul 22nd 2009 5:51PM
LOJA ECUADOR--Bus Driver and assistant working with locals. Attempt to distract you on or off the bus-keep in mind the bus driver's assistant is in on the distraction attempting to steal your bags. Also, if this doesn't work, bus driver's assistant is handing off your bag stored behind the bus(undercarriage) to these locals without your knowledge. Keep your bags with you at all times and avoid the distraction-dropping of cell phone sim card, etc.
WIERDO101 Jul 22nd 2009 5:55PM
COPS ARE JUST PPL WHO THINK THEY HAVE THE OTHORITY TO EAT ALL THE DONUTS IN THE WORLD WEN WE COULD HAVE FAT BUMS INSTEAD OF FAT COPS OHHHH AND PS THE TACO BELL DOGGY JUST PAST AWAY
masterofmeander Jul 22nd 2009 6:34PM
Won't help at an airport, but....Check with regulations when you can, and carry a dagger. Sounds like overkill, but when backpacking in Islamic lands and Mexico I buy a cheap sheathed knife with a blade of ten inches or more. (A plain tool, common to the country: avoid tourist toys.) Secure it to your pack or frame in a position where the handle shows, at least, and from which you can draw with the pack on your back. (With me, behind my left shoulder.) Make sure it shows--the idea is to give thieves pause, not hide a weapon with which you can kill. If challenged, smile and say "I like to cut my own fruit," or "fillet fish": whatever. Suddenly you're not such a rube.
Brad Jul 22nd 2009 6:20PM
My wife and I were visiting the Dominican Republic, we rented a car to take in a few sites, on Sunday we visited the capital with out any problems. Two days later we decided to return and take in a few more sites, and we were caught in traffic, all of a sudden a man dressed in a police uniform riding a vespa scooter pulled up beside us, and motioned for me to pull over, he approached the car and told me that I had run a red light and wanted my license, he then ask me to follow him to the station, needless to say i very leary of that, he got back on his scooter and some friends came by, he talked to them for a few moments, and then came back to the car and told me I could pay the fine now if i wanted to $40 american, to say all the hassle i gave him the money, I got my license back, and off we went back to the hotel, needless to say i wont fall for that again.
Another time in Spain, I was driving down the freeway, and two police officers in a marked car came up beside me, they kept watching me, I was doing nothing wrong, they motioned for me to pull over, they both approached my car, and told me I need to wear a seat belt, and then told me the fine was $125.00, and that i needed to pay it now or go to jail, they issued me a ticket and off I went less a $125.00, I always wore my seat belt after that in Spain back in 1990.
Gloria Jul 22nd 2009 6:27PM
We went to the Philippines last February. It was a new experience for both my husband and I. Even though I have relatives there, we have not been or seen any of them for over 31 years. We had more problem in the Chicago airport than in any airport. They had problems after problems on connection flights & we ended up missing our connecting flight in Hongkong. The airline was good enough to put us in one of the finest hotel since we missed our flight & it was 2:00 in the morning, (which we felt was just fair). Because we could not get a hold of my relatives in the Philippines to tell them of the delay & changes in flight & airlines, we ended up being at the Manila Airport by ourselves not knowing anyone. We were politely greeted by one of the security officer in MIA and one thing good about being there most Filipinos speak English. We were taken to the place where we can pick up our luggages & then ask another airport staff to help us with the baggages. Someone made sure that we were comfortable. My relatives stayed almost all day all night outside the airport because they did not received any word of changes in our travel. The airport security staff stayed with my husband while I went to the other terminal with another polite staff to look for my sister who I have not seen for over 31 years......We had a very delightful experience with the staff at the Manila Airport. They were very polite and helpful, and was not expecting anything in return.
Craig Savage Jul 23rd 2009 2:44AM
The great Bangkok Airport scam is still up and running according to friends of mine who travel from Thailand on a regular basis. The only way to avoid it is to not patronize any King Power shop (who have a monopoly) or other airport shops. Keep your Thai money for the next trip or exchange it elsewhere. The scary part is that they are real police and you could (as some have found out the hard way) end up spending two months in a Bangkok jail waiting to "prove" your innocence. The shoplifting scam may as simple as picking up an item like a lipstick and walking over to show a friend a few feet away. You are then accused of shoplifting and arrested with the scammers claiming you had shoplifed the item without paying. Where the invisible line of the shop ends may not be apparent or may just be made up on the spot. You then have two choices: sign a paper in Thai confessing to all charges and paying a huge fine (as much as 3,000 to 4,000 dollars) or paying even more when a good Samartian "translator" facilities your interaction with the cops and basically you're out a lot of money again. Safest bet? Avoid the airport shops altogether. The stuff is overpriced anyway - as are most airport concessionaires. You can read about other traveller experiences in the English language newspapers - Bangkok Post and The Nation.
rickrock Jul 23rd 2009 2:45AM
I got had my watch taken while I was in China as I was leaving the airport. Apparently they liked the replica Rolex I was bringing in...They said that they feared I turn around and sell it to a Chinese national and he said that if I wanted it I'd have to pay for it. I told him to wear the watch in good health. I won't be bringing anything bling bling to China again.