Anyone know this bali scam?

[SOPOOR]

so ive been to bali a few times and thought I knew all of them,
but this happened to me on my latest trip

Walking down in a shopping centre, this guy comes up to me and asks where Im from,
he was with his wife and baby, he looked indian/pakistani background, didnt have that sort of accent,

said he was from dubai, and after I told him I was from australia, he said oh he is going to australia in a few months time
then proceeded to ask if they use USD in australia, I replied, no they use AUD,

next minute he pulls out his phone in a flip case, and he had a $100 USD note in the phone case, and asked me to show him some AUD

I simply replied that I didnt have any AUD on me.

so what was the scam?

I could only think of him grabbing my AUD and running away, but since he was with his wife, unlikely,
maybe the USD was fake and he would say that he needs some AUD for his trip and do you want to swap?

 

[Hvr]

Either of the above or an observer sees where you keep your money and pickpockets you when you walk away.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sounds a little unusual (but then again, I haven't been to Bali) but was it necessarily a scam?

 

[SOPOOR]

Sounds a little unusual (but then again, I haven't been to Bali) but was it necessarily a scam?

I love bali, and the traditional balinese people are the nicest and most honest people,
but unfortuantely, due to tourism, they try and extract every single dollar out of you

 

[Franky]

I love bali, and the traditional balinese people are the nicest and most honest people,
but unfortuantely, due to tourism, they try and extract every single dollar out of you

Not much different to most tourist spots...

 

[SOPOOR]

Not much different to most tourist spots...

Unfortunately not

 

[Denali]

I love bali, and the traditional balinese people are the nicest and most honest people,
but unfortuantely, due to tourism, they try and extract every single dollar out of you

In Sydney we just call them a Cafe that sells coffees to go

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Either of the above or an observer sees where you keep your money and pickpockets you when you walk away.

Yep, the old one-two.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

In Sydney we just call them a Cafe that sells coffees to go

Or Hilton Hotels for Diamonds and Golds.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I spend a lot of time in Ubud and Penestanan and don't really see this behaviour up there (ok, by the market you might but that's the tourist hub.) However, and probably because I'm from London as well, if anyone asks anything about money you walk on and don't say a thing; you certainly don't engage them in conversation.

 

[SOPOOR]

I spend a lot of time in Ubud and Penestanan and don't really see this behaviour up there (ok, by the market you might but that's the tourist hub.) However, and probably because I'm from London as well, if anyone asks anything about money you walk on and don't say a thing; you certainly don't engage them in conversation.

when I first went to bali all those years ago, they had those time share scams, where they give you a lottery card or scratchie which you always won, the prize being a Tshirt or a $250 USD or one nights accomodation, where they take you to a hotel far away to sell you

they seemed to have changed their approach these days as tourists seem tobe catching on, but this trip they were all approaching with the "we're not selling you anything so dont worry"

 

[GoldCanyon340]

when I first went to bali all those years ago, they had those time share scams, where they give you a lottery card or scratchie which you always won, the prize being a Tshirt or a $250 USD or one nights accomodation, where they take you to a hotel far away to sell you

they seemed to have changed their approach these days as tourists seem tobe catching on, but this trip they were all approaching with the "we're not selling you anything so dont worry"

I agree the sellers/scammers have changed tactics over the years. I just ignore everyone approaching me these days, or just speak French (I can, which helps!) Tsim Sha Tsui in HK is a pain these days with the 'vendors' selling watches, suits and everything else.

 

[SOPOOR]

I agree the sellers/scammers have changed tactics over the years. I just ignore everyone approaching me these days, or just speak French (I can, which helps!) Tsim Sha Tsui in HK is a pain these days with the 'vendors' selling watches, suits and everything else.

I have never gone with these scammers in this case, but from what I read, it can get very very messy and almost dangerous!

surprised I havent read of too many accounts

 

[dxwell]

@SOPOOR don't engage with this type of person - a quick "tidak, terima kasih" and move on.
Don't present yourself as a victim.

 

[SOPOOR]

@SOPOOR don't engage with this type of person - a quick "tidak, terima kasih" and move on.
Don't present yourself as a victim.

that sure is the intention!

 

[harvyk]

I have never gone with these scammers in this case, but from what I read, it can get very very messy and almost dangerous!

surprised I havent read of too many accounts

The guy I buy my suits from was one of those hawkers. His mate at the shop did a good job and was cheap (that was 9 years ago now).

I do remember following one of those hawkers, thinking we where going to a shop when we went into a building and he pressed the button for the lift. I immediately said no thanks and got out of there, I figured that even if he was on the level, no obvious quick escape pricked up my spidy senses immediately.

 

[DC3]

… I do remember following one of those hawkers, thinking we where going to a shop when we went into a building and he pressed the button for the lift. I immediately said no thanks and got out of there, I figured that even if he was on the level, no obvious quick escape pricked up my spidy senses immediately.

Yes. Very good advice. Never worth the risk.

 

[jase05]

Either of the above or an observer sees where you keep your money and pickpockets you when you walk away.

Can confirm definitely it’s a known scam in Kuta especially. He would be wanting to see where your wallet/money belt is on your body and how much you have. The wife and child are used to distract you whilst he pick pockets you or they can also tail you.

 

[SOPOOR]

Can confirm definitely it’s a known scam in Kuta especially. He would be wanting to see where your wallet/money belt is on your body and how much you have. The wife and child are used to distract you whilst he pick pockets you or they can also tail you.

that is absolutely disgusting

 

[jase05]

that is absolutely disgusting

Sadly scams like this happen at many tourist areas around the world. Usually just a simple no is sufficient to avoid them.