Not all friendly strangers you meet during your travels are actually friendly. Sometimes, they are actually scammers who are just acting that way to gain your trust and later trick you out of your money and valuables. Check out the most common “friendly stranger” scams you might encounter in a foreign country.
Drink at the Bar Scam
A friendly local will find a reason to approach you and start talking with you. They will act like they want to get to know you better and invite you to have a drink at the nearby bar. If you accept, you’ll be taken to their friend’s bar, where you’ll end up having to pay inflated prices for drinks.
ATM Assistance Scam
A scammer will approach you while you’re trying to withdraw money from an ATM. They will offer to help you avoid fees or navigate through a confusing menu. However, what they truly want is to memorize your pin, planning to pickpocket you later. They also might just take your money after you withdraw it and run.
Pickpocket Warning Scam
A stranger might approach you on the street or in public transportation to warn you that someone has just been pickpocketed. They hope you’ll check your valuables at that moment, revealing their location and making it easier for them or their accomplices to pickpocket you.
Broken Camera Scam
A friendly stranger or a couple will ask you to take a photo of them with their camera. After you snap a photo and go on to return the camera, they will drop it and act like it’s your fault. They will then try to make you pay a ridiculous fee for “repair.”
