21 hours ago
10
February 21, 2025 | 11:58 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Swindlers and pickpockets are everywhere, even in developed European countries. Quotezone.co.uk, an insurance comparison company in the UK, conducted a survey on cities with the highest fraud rates in the European Scam Index. The list mentions Paris as the city with the most cases in the region.
As reported by Express.co.uk, on Thursday, February 20, 2024, the company found that in 748 reviews, visitors to the top five tourist attractions in France claimed to have been scammed. This number is more than eight times that of the country with the second-highest number of fraud, Spain.
The Eiffel Tower is recorded to have 537 fraud cases in tourist reviews. The tourist attraction has become a common place for fraud, and one of the methods is selling fake tickets.
Friendship Bracelet Scam
A Parisian, @parisinmypocket, used TikTok to warn tourists about other common scams in the capital of France. According to the account, many men stand outside the Sacre-Coeur Basilica and try to put "friendship bracelets" on tourists' wrists.
Once the scammer puts the bracelet on the tourist's wrist, they tighten it, then they will hold on and say, 'Hey, now that we're friends, maybe you can give me something in return?'
Other Scam Methods
There are still many scams that tourists need to be aware of in Paris. Another popular scam in Paris is the fake currency exchange booth. There's also the 'kick cup', a cup placed in a spot to be accidentally kicked by someone, and then the scammer asks for money for the damage.
Additionally, there is the gold ring scam, where scammers claim to have found a ring and offered it to tourists, demanding money in return. This happens a lot around the Eiffel Tower and the River Seine. If approached, politely decline and continue on your way.
These scam methods are still rampant in Paris, meaning tourists should remain cautious in the capital of France.
Tips to Avoid Scams
Quotezone offers some tips for travelers who are concerned about getting scammed. Greg Wilson, the company's CEO, mentioned that many companies want to sell tickets to tourist attractions, special packages, or offers to tourists before or during their stay. Tourists should double-check that the purchase is valid and meets their needs.
Tourists are also advised not to carry cash in crowded places in Paris and to keep their cards in a safe bag on their chest or tucked behind clothing. If you want to store belongings in lockers at stations or tourist attractions, obtain keys from official sources, not from people offering rentals with fake keys.
EXPRESS.CO.UK | TIMEOUT
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