That friendly local might not be as helpful as they seem.

There is a world of difference between genuine local hospitality and the predatory charm of a professional scammer. Travel scammers are experts at their craft, using a variety of time-tested psychological tricks to disarm you, gain your trust, and ultimately, take your money. They thrive on the fact that tourists are often in an unfamiliar environment, a little lost, and eager to be friendly.
Learning to recognize the subtle warning signs and the specific scripts they use is the best defense you have. These are the red flags that should immediately put you on high alert.



