From pickpockets to fake guides
Travellers from the Middle East and North Africa heading to Europe for their summer vacation should be alert to a growing range of tourist scams. At least 10 typical schemes are widespread across major destinations and pose a serious risk to both safety and savings.
- Pickpocketing ranks among the most pervasive threats. Cities such as Paris, Barcelona, Rome and Madrid report frequent incidents in crowded areas and public transport. One study finds that pickpocketing scams often involve teams working in concert to distract and steal from tourists unaware of their surroundings.
- Another common ploy sees strangers offer unsolicited friendship bracelets. In Paris, Florence or Milan, tourists may find a bracelet tied suddenly to their wrist, only to be pressured for payment. These distractions often facilitate theft by accomplices.
- Donation scams operate similarly. People posing as activists or disabled individuals with clipboards or petitions will draw tourists in. While signing a form, a pickpocket may strike. These scams are concentrated around major monuments, such as in central Paris and Rome.
- Taxi fraud remains a persistent risk. Drivers may claim their meter is broken, take detours, or demand flat fees far above standard charges. The risk is greatest at airports and train stations. Tourists are advised to insist on metered fares or use formal ride-hailing apps where available.
- ATM and card fraud also claims many victims. Skimming devices and hidden cameras can be used to steal card data, while dynamic currency conversion traps tourists into paying inflated fees. Scammers may exploit contactless card technology to deduct up to €50 undetected by simply walking too close.
- Restaurant scams are prevalent. Some dining establishments serve unsolicited dishes or bread, then charge hefty amounts for items never ordered. In other cases, menus list no prices or inflated rates, especially in tourist hotspots. The result can be bills in the hundreds of euros.
- Other schemes include fake guides or tour operators. Visitors may be offered “skip‑the‑line” entry or private tours, only to discover they are paying inflated fees or being led into accomplice-run stores.
- Street games are another trap. Shell games and three-card monte appear to offer easy winnings but are rigged. Bystanders often include accomplices to build trust falsely.
- Pedicab and rickshaw rides can also turn costly. Tourist fatigue may tempt travellers to accept exorbitant prices. Some drivers quote per‑person or misleading fares, leading to inflated bills.
- A more elaborate scam involves fake police. In some European cities, impersonators stop tourists, displaying counterfeit badges and demanding passports or wallets. The correct response is to request accompaniment to an official police station.
Middle Eastern travellers are particularly targeted due to unfamiliarity with local systems. Insurance claims following these scams are rising across North Africa and the Gulf.
Reports from regional travel agencies show a 15-per-cent year-on-year increase in claims related to theft, fraud, and bogus services among MENA travellers in Europe. (This figure has been assembled from aggregated insurer data across the region.)
The European Consumer Centres Network reports thousands of cross-border complaints annually about scams targeting tourists. The EU recently launched public warnings ahead of peak travel seasons.
Safety measures can reduce the threat. Travellers should research destination-specific scams in advance, monitor local media, and prepare contingency plans. Use RFID‑blocking wallets, decline dynamic currency conversion, stick to licensed taxis, avoid street solicitations, and keep belongings secured at all times. Booking tours through official channels rather than street vendors further reduces risk.
Europe remains a popular destination for visitors from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other Gulf states. Yet awareness of these ten persistent scams is essential. Simple precautions can protect travellers from falling victim and preserve both safety and holiday enjoyment.
Image: Common tourist scams are widespread across major destinations across Europe and pose a serious risk to both safety and savings. Credit: Valentin Ivantsov
