Travel Scams in Indonesia

Where corruption in a country is endemic, scams targeted at travellers flourish.

Indonesia, known for the rugged beauty of its countryside and volcanoes, is one example.

A cab driver in Padang (Sumatra) tried a scam on me. I was on the way to the airport from Padang, and we had agreed on the fare.

As we headed for the airport he pulled out a laminated list of cab fares, and said, "Actually, these are the official fares."

One glance and I put it down. "But we had agreed on the price, ok?"

Thwarted by my reply his brains went into a counter attack mode.

The morning traffic was heavy, and he was driving as though a Sumatran tiger was hot on his tail.

"Do you have any Singapore money? I'd like some as souvenirs," he said.

I was prepared for this. "Oh, I carry only Indonesian money. No Singapore money." He kept quiet.

As a rule I avoid taking cabs. Cab drivers the world over are the same when they spot a tourist. Their minds go, "Aha, walking ATMs."

You see the airport bus had failed to turn up at the last minute to pick me up from my hotel, leaving me with no choice but to catch a cab. Another scam?

Travel Scams

The following account is by Alex whose interesting blog, beautifully illustrated with his superb images,can be found at http://myloismylife.blogspot.com (A Malaysian Photo Blog and Travelogue)

I hope he doesn't mind I give his account prominence here as I think all travellers should be alerted to the various travel scams. ROGER


"In Thailand, there is a scam infamously known as the Bangkok Gem Scam.

Love, lust, deceit & money. Why leave his wallet and gold ring in the presence of a total stranger. That is silly.

Well, I was charmed by a sweet talker to part away my RM200 late last year. I was actually waiting for an inter-city train at KL Sentral to Kedah. I was reading a book on the departure platform. This 40++ guy approached me and bombarded me with his 'problem'. From the conversation, I was 'convinced' that:

a) He was robbed while sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur
b) He is the new Citibank Regional Manager posted to Malaysia head office. He has in-depth knowledge about Citibank opration including the exact name of the BIG BOSS.
c) He needed RM200 to book a hotel in Penang while waiting for his credit card to be reissued.
d) He was holding a valid ticket to Butterworth.
e) He gave his hand phone number to me and also asked for my banking account number for him to deposit back my money.

Strange enough, the number given to me was valid. I waited for three weeks and called him again asking him to return my money. Later, I threatened to lodge a police report. It was a losing battle. End of day....nobody pick up my call anymore.

I learnt my lesson...the hard way!"

Travel scams

One of the things I'd like to know when I do my travel research or homework, is to find out the prevalent scams in a particular country. Since travellers are viewed as walking ATMs, all sorts of scams are honed to perfection to relieve them of their money.

So far I've been spared except for the usual crooked cab drivers.

Allow me to relate a common scam perpetrated on me while travelling solo in Europe.

At the Eiffel Tower in Paris a tall, heavy-set Frenchman accosted me.

"Where are you from?" he asked.

"Singapore."

"Oh, Singapore. Aha, today I went to the airport to meet a Singapore friend but he didn't turn up. I'm supposed to give this coat to him. Never mind, I'll give it to you for free."

Smelling a rat, and a big one at that, I said, "I've no money."

"How much do you have? Give me whatever you have," he said, with an edge to his voice.

I emptied my pockets for theatrical effect. "No franc," I emphasised.

Disappointed he retreated. From afar, I spotted him getting into a small car with his coat. Doubtless, to look for another victim.

Please share with our readers if you have encountered any scams on your travels.