Coercion
From GopStopTravel
These scams rely on trapping you in a bad situation and forcing you to pay money to get out of it. They're best prevented by avoiding the situation; once you're in it you may well have no option but to pay whatever it takes to get out of it safely. Many of these scams are bordering on illegal.
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Fake Police
This scam has proven itself deadly most recently around La Paz, Bolivia. You are approached by a man claiming to be a policeman and asks for your identifications. He might be in uniform, he might not, but he is speaking affirmatively, and seems to have the right documentation so you might feel the urge to comply. NEVER DO SO!!! The policeman might be real but it can be easily checked by asking him to WALK to the Police Station. Never get in a car and allow yourself to be driven somewhere, even if they say it is to the Police Station. A real policeman will understand your concern to show your documents but if this is indeed a scam the least that can happen is that once your documents are in his hands he might ask for money to hand them back or simply run away with them.
Many countries require carrying your documentation with you at all times so it might be a good idea to do so, but just in case carry with you a color copy of it in a different pocket for situations like this, or in case of theft.
Another common practice of the Fake Police is approaching you while you are at the ATM, for example, and saying they saw you buying drugs just minutes ago. Obviously they would agree to turn a blind eye to the whole thing if only they could have the maximum amount your ATM card allows you to withdraw.
Free tours
You are offered a "free tour" of a shop or factory way out of town. Your driver may then suggest that you'll need to buy something if you want a ride back. The best prevention is avoidance, as if you're stuck out there you might well be compelled to do as she 'suggests'. Don't accept any kind of lift or offer of a tour without having a basic idea of where you're going and whether you will be able to get back if your driver deserts you.
Art school
You are met in the street by people who say they are art students. They speak English well and invite you to visit their school. Then they will try to get you to buy one of their works for an excessive price.
This scam is practiced in China, particularly in Beijing and Xian. The "students" are often attractive young women.
Nightlife tour
You're approached by a well-dressed local gentleman or attractive woman, who suggests going for a drink in his/her favorite nightspot. When you arrive, the joint is near-deserted, but as soon as you sit down some scantily clad girls plop down next to you and order a few bottles of champagne. Your "friend" disappears, the bill runs into thousands and heavies block the door and flex their muscles until you pay up.
This is particularly common in Europe's larger cities, including London, Istanbul and Budapest. The best defense is not to end up in this situation: pick the bar yourself, or at least back out immediately if they want to go somewhere that is not packed with locals. If you do end up in this situation, pay by credit card to get out, then cancel your card and dispute the bill immediately. The police are unlikely to be of much assistance, but filing a report may make it easier to get the charges canceled.
Dual menus
A few bars in China, especially Shanghai, will give you a menu with reasonable prices to order drinks. Later they present a bill with much higher prices. If you argue, they produce a menu with those higher prices on it.
A variant of this is practiced in Bangkok, where touts with laminated menus offer sex shows and cheap beer. The beer may indeed be cheap, but they'll add a stiff surcharge for the show.
The best way to avoid this is to stay out of sleazy tourist bars. You could also try hanging on to your menu or paying when your drinks are delivered, preferably with the right change.
Passport as security for debt or rental
You rent equipment like a jet ski or motorbike. You are asked to give your passport as a security guarantee. After returning the rented goods, the owner claims you damaged them and will ask for exaggerated prices to compensate. If you do not agree, they threaten to keep your passport. People also lose passports when holding them as security or guarantee for payment of a debt. This scam is used in almost all Thai tourist resorts, and is very effective.
Never hand over your passport as a security or guarantee in any circumstances. Pay cash (and get a receipt), or hand over something comparatively worthless, like your library card.
References
Wikitravel.org Common Scams
