Tourist scam warning as jewellery switched with fakes

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From Bangkok to beaches,Thailand is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. However, there are a few scams travellers will need to watch out for.

A tourist posted on Reddit: “People will tell you the Grand Palace or whatever you are going to see is closed, then offer to take you to another place.

“Usually it’s a friendly person on the street, then they connect you to a tuk tuk driver who will take you to something that is open.

“They make a stop along the way which might be a tailor shop or craft maker. They will sell you a suit at a discount.

“When you go to get the suit the material has been switched to a much cheaper blend and suits often fall apart at the first cleaning.”

Tourists can avoid this scam by checking online if the attraction is open. They could also ask staff at their hotel for more information.

Hotel staff may also be able to offer tour recommendations if tourists would like to explore the city by tuk tuk.

The tourist added: “With jewellery, they show you the good stuff but when you pick it up, it’s not.

“Also if you bring something in to be repaired, they’ll switch out the stones. Gemstones are usually just coloured glass and good fakes.”

This is a fairly common scam all around the world and tourists could easily get caught out by it.

If tourists are looking to buy jewellery, they could look online for reviews to find a reputable seller.

Tourists could also wait to hand over money until they’ve received the product, to make sure it’s what they asked for.

The tourist also shared a taxi scam, which is common all over the world, and catches many tourists out.

They said: “Drivers don’t use the metre and even if they do, it breaks halfway or they have to stop for fuel, or charge you a toll fee.

“Even if you negotiate before they tell you you owe more when you get somewhere.”

Tourists can avoid taxi scams by using apps to book their transport as the price will already be agreed.

Travellers could also ask their accommodation provider to call them a taxi as this will usually be a driver they trust.

Tourists could also use a GPS app to track the journey to make sure their driver isn’t taking unnecessary detours.

The tourist added: “Expensive liquor is often replaced with the cheap stuff so never pay premium alcohol prices unless you are in a high end establishment that’s got a good reputation.”

Tourists could check to see if the bottle is sealed when they receive it, as that should mean it hasn’t been tampered with.

Travellers can also check online reviews to see what other tourists have said about the venue.

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