Helpful local
From GopStopTravel
These scams and scammers are counting on your openness and gullibility. The "Local knowledge" that they might offer you might not always be false, but it will always lead to you loosing money. In short, the expression "The only free cheese is in a mouse trap".
Attention! The worse thing you can do is comply even though the whole thing smells funny. The main thing that the scammer is counting on is your desire to be nice and polite to the locals who are so inviting and seemingly helpful. In many countries around the world rejecting advice or a gift can be considered an insult and the scammers are counting on that you would not want to be dis-respective. Use your own good judgment and wile doing so still do not hesitate simply walking away, razing your voice, or calling for help.
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Paid advise
Probably the most common and annoying of those kinds of scams. Practically anywhere you can be approached by a local who, before you know it, will be walking side by side with you and pointing out everything from the best place to spend the night, to local sights and eateries. Even if you want a city guide and this person speaks your language well enough, always remember that you haven't agreed on a price and this "walk around town" can seriously cost you. Best case scenario you would be able to walk away saying that you haven't promised anything and the local will move on to the next person. Worse case scenario (and the more likely one) the local will instantly become furious with you and will keep following you around yelling that you owe him money. More so, walking on the streets of that town can become embracing as the "helpful local" is most likely to be on the street and yell profanities and accusations in your direction.
Another form of the same scam is a helpful local who from the beginning says he wants nothing but to give you advice about walking that street over there behind the corner. Why? Oh, well because it's dangerous, and he knows it is dangerous because he lives on the street. Yes, yes. He, his wife, and their baby. And the baby has AIDS, so could he please have some milk money for the baby? Before you know it you are looking through your pockets for some money.
A present for you
This is common on the streets of Salvador in Brazil. You are walking on the street when before you know it a colorful ribbon is tied around your wrist. "A present from me to you" says the man or woman responsible and continue to explain that such is tradition here and that they will help you tie three knots on the ribbon which lets you make three wishes. They tie, you wish, and after the "ceremony" the generous local pules out a bundle of necklaces from which you are now to choose some to buy.
Accommodation recommendations
Your driver or guide will tell you that the place you're heading to is gone, or if you've booked, that it's no good or too expensive and that he knows somewhere better. While this may be true, it's likely that the 'better' place is giving him a commission for referrals.
You must insist on going to your planned destination. In some cases the driver will not drive you to your hotel even if you insist. In some cities in India, taxi drivers will take you to the wrong hotel and insist it is the one you requested!
Some sources say sitting with your luggage on the back seat and get out at a red light usually helps.
Attraction closed
You may arrive at a major tourist destination only to find a very helpful local near the entrance explaining that there's a riot/holiday/official visit at the place you want to go and it is closed. The local will then offer to take you to a lesser known but infinitely more beautiful sight or to a nice shop. Generally the destination is in fact open for business: refuse the offer and go and have a look. Even on the rare occasions when they are telling the truth they may not be as helpful as they seem, so it would be better to pursue your own backup plan. Say "the others in my group are meeting me there and I can NOT go to another place!"
References
Wikitravel.org Common Scams
