Travel Scam Hotspots
We use the internet to find information on just about anything, and travel recommendations are no exception. From the good to the bad and everything in between, we can determine whether or not a holiday destination is right for us based on the experiences of other tourists.
The travel and luggage experts at Bounce understand the importance of keeping you and your things safe. Using reviews and forums on Tripadvisor, we’ve revealed which cities receive the highest volume of tourist-related scam reports and what you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of fraudulent behavior.
Tourist attractions with the most scam-related reviews
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1. Intramuros, Philippines - Percentage of scam mentions: 0.86%
Translating to ‘within the walls’ and built during the Spanish colonial period, Intramuros is the perfect attraction for any history fan, showcasing what remains of one of Manilla’s oldest districts. This ancient attraction is visited by people all over the globe, and unfortunately, this makes tourists susceptible to scams.
One reviewer warned, “History at Its Finest Ruined by Scam Artists! (TRIKE TOURS),” highlighting how some tourists have fallen victim to overpriced trike tours that take advantage of their enthusiasm for the area’s rich history.
Out of the 3,619 Tripadvisor reviews for Intramuros, 31 included the term ‘scam’, equating to 0.86% of all reviews for this attraction — a more significant proportion than any other tourist attraction.
2. The Forbidden City, China - Percentage of scam mentions: 0.55%
There have been almost 80 mentions of scams on Tripadvisor for the Forbidden City, making up 0.55% of all reviews on the site. Located in the heart of Beijing, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the epitome of Chinese tourism, exhibiting unique architecture for which this culture is famous.
Of the scam-related reviews posted by tourists who have visited the Forbidden City, some common occurrences include people being approached by scam artists inviting them for tea in an attempt to get free drinks and scam taxis that hugely overcharge unsuspecting tourists. One tourist warned about the "guided tour tea ceremony scam," where visitors are lured into expensive tea ceremonies under the guise of a cultural experience.
3. Petra, Jordan - Percentage of scam mentions: 0.50%
Famed for its exquisitely detailed sandstone constructions and the ruins of what was once a theatre carved from rock, the ancient city of Petra attracts visitors worldwide. Unfortunately, like any other popular attraction, scam artists have tried their luck against tourists.
One visitor expressed frustration with the situation, detailing that the attraction is home to “amazing history but beware of scammers all over” after they came across a fraudster claiming to be a golf cart employee who later took advantage of them and demanded extortionate payment, subsequently tarnishing the beauty of this iconic destination for them.
Petra’s Tripadvisor page has acquired more scam-related reviews than any other entry on this top three (91), but compared to the total number of reviews (18,202), this attraction ranks third.
The Eiffel Tower is the top-cited attraction for scam-related reviews
Paris’ Eiffel Tower needs no introduction, but this iconic French attraction deserves an honorable mention when it comes to scams. It falls just shy of the top three when considering the total number of reviews. Still, due to its popularity, this tourist hotspot has the highest number of individual scam-related mentions.
More than 540 visitors have shared their scam-related experiences at this symbolic structure, from the three-cup and ball trick to pickpocketing. Travelers have even prompted others to be careful regarding Eiffel Tower tour operators, alerting visitors to tour guide scams where they have been “Ripped off by tour operators...” who “...Never showed up”.
European destinations with the most scam-related forums
1. Riga, Latvia - scams make up 2.53% of all forum topics
From one of Europe's oldest markets to Old Town's UNESCO World Heritage site, Latvia’s capital has many historical attractions. However, regarding popular European tourist destinations, Riga has the most significant proportion of online scam-related forums.
Among the thousands of forum topics about Riga’s culture and history, a series of discussions warn tourists of scam artists around the city. According to Tripadvisor forums, some of the most common travel scams include overcharging people for taxi journeys and ‘free’ walking tours where tourists are pressured into big tips.
2. Istanbul, Turkey - scams make up 2.24% of all forum topics
The next destination on this list is Istanbul. Turkey's largest city is brimming with cultural landmarks, including the cathedral-sized Basilica Cistern and stunning scenery of the Topkapi Palace.
Istanbul is widely considered a great place to visit, but if you plan to travel here, be aware that more than 2% of all forum topics on Tripadvisor discuss scams across the city. Of these scam-related forums, some warn solo travelers of a 'let's have a drink scam' in which fraudsters will take you to a bar, order lots of drinks, and then pass the bill over to the unsuspecting tourist.
3. Budapest, Hungary - scams make up 1.81% of all forum topics
Known for its one-of-a-kind architecture, iconic nightlife, and world-famous thermal baths, Hungary’s capital is a fan favorite when it comes to European city break destinations. Despite this, Budapest completes this ranking, with scams making up 1.81% of the city’s forum topics.
If you want to make the most of this city’s evening entertainment and cuisine, be wary of service charges on orders, as tourists have reported scams like these recently.
Italians are more curious about scams than any other European country
1. Italy - 344 scam-related Google searches per 100,000 people
Millions of people visit Italian cities like Rome, Milan, and Pisa yearly to experience its incredible history, luxury fashion, and exquisite cuisine. Unfortunately, Italy's popularity means people must be vigilant about potential scams and fraudulent behavior, including unofficial fashion dupes being sold at lavish prices and fake charity petitions. As a result, this country has seen more scam-related searches than any other in Europe, totaling 344 Google searches per 100,000 people.
2. Portugal - 242 scam-related Google searches per 100,000 people
From sightseeing in the charming neighborhood of Alfama to wine tasting in the world-famous Cockburn's Port Wine Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, there are many reasons why tourists may want to visit Portugal. With plenty of tours and experiences to sink your teeth into, there are also opportunities for locals to take advantage of, such as misleading currency exchange and street vendors selling counterfeit goods. Subsequently, this country has 242 scam-related Google searches per 100,000 people – the second largest in Europe.
3. Ireland - 179 scam-related Google searches per 100,000 people
Ireland completes this ranking with 179 scam-related Google searches per 100,000 people. Popular tourist destinations here include Dublin, Cork, and Galway, each offering a unique and immersive experience of Irish culture.
However, with so many photo opportunities around the country, be careful when being asked to take a photograph for someone, as this may be a scammer looking to blame you for dropping their expensive camera equipment after they ‘accidentally’ fumble into you. Also, be wary of people offering to take pictures of you because this could be an easy opportunity for scammers to run off with your belongings.
People are more worried about being pickpocketed than any other travel-related scam
1. Pickpockets - 2 million global Google searches
As the name suggests, pickpocketers steal belongings by ‘picking people’s pockets.’ Despite most people being aware of the concept, pickpocketing is more common than we would like to imagine – particularly among tourists. If you are exploring a busy area, be extra wary, as these scam artists will likely target crowded areas to stay hidden in plain sight.
2. Visa fraud - 43,380 global Google searches
Countries work hard to control the flow of people coming in and out, and travel visas help to aid this process. Fraudulent behavior in this field can include forging a travel visa or selling an authentic one, among other things. Interestingly, this type of travel scam has been searched for more than 43,000 times worldwide over the last two years.
3. ATM scams - 35,200 global Google searches
Scam artists have been known to install card readers on ATMs called skimmers, which can steal bank details from unsuspecting tourists. In the last two years alone, people looking to learn more about this type of scam have made over 35,000 Google searches for ATM scams.
Expert tips on avoiding travel scams
Cody Candee, CEO and Founder of Bounce, on how to avoid becoming the victim of travel scams:
“While it is important to be aware of scams, they don’t need to ruin your holiday plans. To help you stay as safe as possible when it comes to fraudsters, here are some tips:
- Stay vigilant in crowded areas
“Pickpocket scam artists tend to loiter in crowded areas and popular attractions. If you walk around with a bag, keep a close eye (and hand) on it. Moreover, scammers often employ distraction techniques, so if you catch yourself watching a street performer or people causing a scene, then be wary that this may be a rouse.
- Secure your belongings
“Whether it's pickpocketers or artists posing as fake officials, scammers try anything they can to get money out of people. If you are worried about encountering pickpocketers on your travels, some things you can do include locking your bags, using a tracker, and avoiding leaving your things unattended. Alternatively, you can use trusted luggage storage facilities to ensure that your valuables are in safe hands while you are exploring.
- Be cautious with transport
“Public transport systems differ from country to country, making it tricky to tell whether you are being scammed. If you are traveling in a new city, consider researching your journey beforehand to determine if your driver is taking a longer route than necessary or using a rigged meter.
- Do your research
“From fake officials to accepting 'free' items from strangers, scam artists try to get money from people in many ways. If you have booked a holiday and are worried about scammers, the best thing to do is research common scams in your chosen destination. Also, you should only purchase tickets from trusted official sites with positive reviews to avoid ticket-related scams.
- Watch out for ATM skimmers
“As mentioned above, ATM scams are common in popular tourist destinations, but how can you tell if a machine has been tampered with? If you approach an ATM with loose panels and/or a damaged card reader, these may be signs that a scammer has rigged the machine. Do not use the machine if you see or suspect anything unusual to be safe.”
Methodology
Data is accurate as of 07/01/2025.
Using a series of listicles, such as Flick Holiday and Home Exchange, we created a seeding list of the world's most popular tourist attractions.
We used Tripadvisor to find each attraction's total number of reviews. We then filtered these reviews by the ones that mention the word ‘scam’ and noted this figure. We divided the number of scam-related reviews by the total number of reviews to calculate each attraction's percentage of scam-related reviews.
We created a second seeding list of popular European holiday destinations using sources such as European Best Destinations and Forbes.
We used Tripadvisor to find the number of forum topics for each location. We then filtered these forum topics by the word ‘scam’ and noted this figure. We divided the number of scam-related forum topics by the total number of forum topics to calculate the percentage of scam-related forum topics for each destination.
Lastly, we created a seeding list of the 30 most populous European countries using World Population Review.
We used Google Ads Keyword Planner to find the total number of global and country-wide Google searches for a series of scam-related terms in each country between December 2022 and November 2024. We divided the total number of searches by each country’s population and multiplied this by 100,000 to calculate the number of Google searches per 100,000 people.
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