The beautiful and fascinating city of London isn't always perfect. For those of you preparing to go to London soon, there are several important things you should know. Being aware of common scams in the city you're about to visit is crucial for protecting yourselves while you're far from home. Today, Peyton & Charmed are presenting 3 basic scams commonly found in London to help you prepare to say 'No'!
Rickshaw Scam
Rickshaws in London are a common scam that tourists often fall victim to. Drivers often wait for tourists outside festivals to lure them into using their service. If any of you carelessly use a rickshaw, you could end up paying hundreds of pounds for just a few minutes of ride. This scam is no different from tuk-tuks in Thailand that trick tourists into using their service and then charge exorbitant fares.
The Ball and Cups Scam
Anyone planning to walk across Westminster Bridge must absolutely avoid stopping to watch street performers or being curious about what they're doing. Even London locals warn tourists that the game where you guess which cup the ball is under, with the promise of winning free money if you guess correctly, is a complete fraud. Even though you might see people watching who seem harmless, be warned that these onlookers are often in on the scam and are excellent decoys to tempt tourists into betting their money.
The Flower Scam
Who would refuse a beautiful flower, especially if it's free? But we advise you to refuse it. Even if the person offering the flower looks friendly or harmless, if you accept it, you will be asked to pay for the flower you received, even if you didn't want it at all. Some scammers might act pitiful to get you to pay, while others can be quite intimidating and use aggression to make you pay. It's best not to accept anything from strangers.
Even though there are scams in London designed to trick unsuspecting tourists, it doesn't mean that everything in London is bad. It's just like in Bangkok, where there are still people trying to deceive tourists for their own gain. Therefore, while you are far from home, it's best to be extra careful.
