Overview:

SafeAbroad analysts have assessed that the following scams are common in tourist locations across the globe. These scams often target international students, and therefore, it is important to be aware of these scams and how to avoid them.

Common Scams:

Street & Distraction Scams

1. Free Gift Scam – Someone will offer you a bracelet or a small gift for free and then pressure you to pay for the bracelet.¹ The best tactic to avoid this scam is to avoid letting them put the bracelet on you and leave the area quickly.
2. Street Betting – Scammers set up card games or cup games in popular tourist areas. Another scammer, pretending to be a random tourist, will play first and win, so the game seems legitimate. Tourists will then be asked to participate and bet money on the game, and the scammer will ensure the tourist loses the game and their money.² Never participate in playing street games for money, even if you see others playing and winning. 
3. Wallet Drop – A wallet or money will be on the ground in front of you, and a scammer may ask if it is yours or encourage you to pick it up. Another scammer will then accuse you of stealing from them and threaten you if you do not pay them.³ If confronted with this scam, do not pick up the wallet or money, and do not engage further. Leave the vicinity quickly. 
4. Fake Petition Scam – One scammer will approach you holding a clipboard and ask you to sign something, usually a petition. While you are distracted talking and signing, another person will pickpocket you.⁴ This scam is most common near tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower in Paris. 
5. Spill Scam –  One scammer will spray you with mustard or another substance, and another scammer will stop you to tell you something is on you. While you are distracted talking or cleaning it off, the scammers will steal your bag or pickpocket you.⁵ If confronted with this scam, keep walking and clean the substance off once you have exited the area. 

Financial & Banking Scams

6. ATM Skimming – ATM Skimmers are devices attached to ATM machines that can steal your credit card information. This scam is especially prevalent in touristy urban areas.⁶ To avoid this, make sure to inspect the machine for a loose or damaged card reader, tape or glue on the machine, or for an abnormally thick card reader.⁷
7. Currency Exchange Scam – Fake exchange counters will attempt to overcharge international students or give counterfeit money.⁸ Students should only use well-known, reputable currency exchange services and banks. Additionally, students should research the current exchange rate to avoid being overcharged.
8. Fake Bank Accounts – Scammers will pretend to be a university-partnered bank and offer to help students set up savings accounts. These scams tend to target deposits and personal information.⁹ Students should verify that these bank services are official partners through their university’s official website. 

Education-Related Scams

9. Fake University Emails – Scammers will send students emails from what appears to be their university’s email address. These fake emails may request tuition payments or login credentials that the scammer can take.¹⁰ Students should carefully examine email domains to verify that the email is legitimate. Fake university emails often have misspelled words in the email address.
10. Scholarship or Grant Fraud – Scammers will contact students and present them with “guaranteed” aid in exchange for upfront fees and personal information.¹¹ Do not respond or engage with these emails. Students should only apply for scholarships/grants from official university websites or organizations. Real scholarship and grant opportunities will never require upfront payments.

Accommodation Scams

11. Utility Overcharges & Fake Bills – Scammers will impersonate utility companies and demand payments. There will likely be pressure to pay these utility bills quickly.¹² Students should contact their utility companies to verify that the request is legitimate. Never rush to make payments; it is better to take the time to verify the claim.
12. Housing Deposit Scam – Scammers will advertise apartments or other living spaces online and cease contact after you pay a housing deposit.¹³ Avoid paying any deposits until you have seen the apartment, or to go through university-offered housing instead. 

Government & Immigration Scams

13. Visa/Immigration Impersonation – Scammers will call impersonating immigration officials and claim there is a problem with a student’s visa. They will ask you to pay a fine to resolve the situation.¹⁴ Legitimate immigration officials will never contact you through a phone call.

Transit and Travel Scams

14. Fake Rideshares/Taxis – Fake drivers will take longer routes, overcharge you, and may be unlicensed. This is done in an attempt to get more money from the tourists.¹⁵ If available, students should use ridesharing apps that confirm the driver’s name, license plate number, and car model before getting in the vehicle.

Digital Communication Scams

15. Phishing & Smishing – Scammers will contact students through email or text, claiming to be a reputable company and requesting personal information. They will often impersonate visa companies and delivery companies.¹⁶ Students should check that the email or phone number is legitimate, and verify its source by directly contacting the company that the person claims they are with. 

1.  https://www.adynamiclife.co.za/scam-around-the-world-tips-to-prevent-and-survive-them/
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2. https://antalainen.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/wheres-the-ball-the-scam-called-shell-game-on-the-streets-of-london/
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3. https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/watch-how-the-cash-drop-scam-works-thomasville-police-walmart-shoppers-two-suspects-steal-debit-card-and-pin-at-checkout-distraction-happens-quickly/83-50f41120-83fe-4356-9599-b08d1cb8762c
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4. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/kiwi-falls-victim-to-paris-clipboard-scam-400-taken-in-oiympic-city/JJJONRSE5BHG7GWRCH4BEZT4WY/
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5.  https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/search/
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6.  https://www.nwcu.com/learn/how-spot-atm-skimmer
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7.  https://nupd.northeastern.edu/scam-prevention/traveling-scams-and-prevention/ 
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8.  https://www.beuc.eu/news/great-currency-conversion-scam
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9.  https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-resource-center/2023-10/scammers-and-fake-banks
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10.  https://safecomputing.umich.edu/protect-yourself/phishing-scams/university-targets
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11.  https://finaid.org/scholarships/scams/
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12.  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2020/10/overpaid-your-utility-bill-thats-probably-scam
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13. https://www.avail.co/education/guides/a-tenants-guide-to-finding-an-apartment/how-to-spot-a-rental-scam
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14.  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/contact-us/reporting-fraud.html
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15. https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/saratoga-springs-police-warn-of-fake-rideshare-drivers-around-track-downtown-uber-lyft-race-track-broadway
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16.  https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/phishing-smishing-vishing/
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