13 Sneaky Scams Every Tourist in Europe Needs to Watch Out For!

1. The Friendship Bracelet Scam

2. The Gold Ring Scam

You’re walking along when someone suddenly spots a gold ring on the ground near you. They pick it up and ask if you dropped it. When you say no, they may offer to let you keep their lucky find, only to ask for money a few moments later.

The ring, of course, isn’t worth anything close to what they are asking for.

This scam has been around for years in Paris and is often attempted near major tourist areas, including the Eiffel Tower and along the Seine. If someone suddenly finds jewelry at your feet, don’t engage. Keep walking.

3. The Petition Scam

Someone holding a clipboard approaches and asks you to sign a petition, often claiming to represent a charity or organization. The petition itself isn’t really the point.

While you’re looking at the clipboard or trying to understand what the person is asking, an accomplice may be reaching into your pocket or bag. In other versions, signing the petition is followed by an aggressive demand for a donation.

You’ll see this scam in busy tourist areas throughout Europe, particularly in cities like Paris and Rome. A polite “no” isn’t necessary. Keep moving and keep your belongings close.

4. The Overly Helpful Local

Not everyone who offers to help is trying to scam you, but be cautious when a stranger suddenly becomes very interested in helping you use an ATM or ticket machine.

They may offer to show you which buttons to press, help you buy your Metro ticket, or explain how the machine works. The goal may be to see your PIN, grab your cash or card, or distract you while someone else steals from you.

If you’re confused by a machine, look for a uniformed employee or go to an official ticket counter instead. This is especially important around busy train and Metro stations, where looking lost can make you an easy target.

5. The Fake Police

This one can be particularly intimidating because the scammers count on tourists being nervous about dealing with the police in another country.

Someone claiming to be a police officer may approach you and say they are investigating counterfeit money, drugs, or another crime. They then ask to inspect your wallet, passport, or cash. During the “inspection,” money disappears.

Don’t hand your wallet or cash to someone on the street simply because they claim to be an officer. If you’re unsure whether someone is actually a police officer, ask to see identification and tell them you’d prefer to continue the conversation at a police station.

6. The Taxi Overcharge

You get into a taxi expecting a quick ride across town and arrive to find that the fare is two or three times what you expected. Unfortunately, tourists are easy targets for dishonest drivers because they often don’t know how much a ride should cost.

Some drivers take unnecessarily long routes, claim the meter isn’t working, use questionable meters, or add unexpected fees at the end of the trip.

Use official taxi stands or reputable ride apps when available, and have a general idea of what the trip should cost before getting into the car. If taxis at your destination use meters, make sure the meter is running when the ride begins.

7. The Dropped Wallet Scam

Most of us instinctively want to help when we see someone drop a wallet. Scammers know that.

A wallet may be deliberately dropped near you, hoping you’ll pick it up and try to return it. The owner then claims money is missing and accuses you of taking it. They may demand that you pay back the supposedly stolen cash to avoid involving the police.

If you notice an abandoned wallet or purse, don’t start digging through it or carry it around looking for its owner. Alert nearby security or police instead.

8. The Spill on Your Clothes

Someone bumps into you, and suddenly there’s coffee, sauce, bird poop, or some other mess on your clothes. Almost immediately, a helpful stranger appears with tissues or offers to clean you up.

While you’re focused on the mess, they’re focused on your wallet.

Sometimes one person creates the spill while another steps in to “help.” If something unexpectedly lands on your clothing, move away from the people around you before checking the damage. Keep your hands on your bag and clean yourself up somewhere less crowded.

9. The Fake Rental Scam

That gorgeous apartment in central Paris at an unbelievable price may actually be unbelievable.

Scammers copy photos and descriptions from legitimate vacation rentals and create fake listings. Travelers send a deposit or even the full rental amount, only to arrive and discover the property doesn’t exist, isn’t a vacation rental, or belongs to someone who has no idea it was listed.

Be particularly cautious if someone asks you to communicate or pay outside the booking platform. Check reviews, look carefully at the listing history, and be skeptical of a price that seems dramatically lower than comparable accommodations nearby.

10. The Currency Exchange Scam

Currency exchange offices sometimes advertise an exchange rate that looks fantastic from the sidewalk. The problem is that the rate you actually receive may differ significantly once fees and commissions are added.

Other exchanges advertise their best rate prominently but only offer it when exchanging a large amount of money.

Before handing over any cash, ask exactly how much local currency you will receive after all fees. Knowing the approximate current exchange rate also makes it much easier to spot a terrible deal.

11. The Restaurant Scam

Most restaurants near Europe’s major attractions are perfectly legitimate, but some take advantage of tourists who don’t know local prices or customs.

You may be encouraged to order without seeing prices, served expensive items you didn’t realize you were ordering, or discover unexpected charges when the bill arrives. In more extreme cases, someone you just met recommends a particular bar or restaurant, and you’re hit with an enormous bill.

Look at a menu with clearly listed prices before ordering, especially in heavily touristed areas. And be wary when a stranger is unusually determined to get you into one particular restaurant or bar.

12. The Wi-Fi Scam

Free Wi-Fi can be incredibly tempting when you’re traveling internationally, especially when you’re trying to pull up directions or avoid using mobile data.

The problem is that a network named “Free Airport WiFi” or “Hotel Guest WiFi” isn’t necessarily being operated by the airport or hotel. Criminals can create networks with legitimate-sounding names in hopes that travelers will connect.

Before joining a public Wi-Fi network, confirm the correct network name with the hotel, restaurant, airport, or other business. Avoid accessing banking or other sensitive accounts over unsecured public networks, and don’t assume a network is legitimate simply because its name looks official.

Tourist hotspots across Europe, including cafes and public areas in cities like Rome, Barcelona, and Paris, have reported this scam.

13. The Fake Ticket Scam

The line for a major attraction is enormous, and suddenly someone appears offering discounted tickets or a way to skip the wait. It sounds like you’ve gotten lucky. You probably haven’t.

Fake or invalid tickets are sold around popular attractions, train stations, sporting events, and other places where tourists are eager to get inside quickly. You may not discover you’ve been scammed until you reach the entrance and your ticket doesn’t work.

Buy admission and transportation tickets directly from the attraction, official ticket office, or authorized seller. A few euros in savings aren’t worth spending part of your vacation arguing over a ticket that was never valid in the first place.

This is common around major tourist attractions and transport hubs in cities like Rome.