From exploring stunning beaches with their crystal-clear water to indulging in the world-famous seafood of Maldives, there is no shortage of amazing experiences for tourists to enjoy. You can even read more about why you should experience the beauty of Maldives with your own eyes in the previous post. But all that glitters are not (always) gold. Lots and lots of reports regarding tourist scams in Maldives have been piling up lately.
These sneaky scammers are usually there, preying on unsuspecting travelers who are unaware of the scams and how to spot them. However, with a bit of knowledge and caution, you can protect yourself from these malicious activities. Here’s what you need to know about the most common tourist scams in Maldives and how to avoid them.
Picture Scams
Have you ever seen someone offering to take a picture of you with your camera or phone in the streets? At first, it’ll be cool to accept it. But only then do the regrets come down. First, they’ll suddenly ask for money to take pictures. This is a classic example of a tourist scam.
The swindlers will try to demand money for doing so and can become aggressive if refused. To avoid this, don’t accept any offers from random people on the street, even if they seem friendly.
Taxi Scams
Going from our hotel to the destination, most of us will certainly go for a Taxi ride. But sometimes, these taxis can be used by scammers to make money off unsuspecting travelers. Most of the time, the taxi driver will ask for an amount that is far higher than what it should be.
This is why it’s always important to research beforehand and know how much a trip should cost. In fact, it’s even better to arrange a pick-up and drop-off with the hotel you are staying in. This way, they will take care of everything and ensure you won’t fall prey to scams.
Friendly ATM Helper
Sometimes, the urge to withdraw cash from the ATM can be so strong that we don’t even think twice before agreeing to someone’s help. This is where an ATM helper will come in and tell you he can help get your cash from the machine.
He’ll then proceed to enter a series of numbers that will open up a back door for him to get your money. Avoid this by using the ATM inside a bank or a reputable store, and never accept help from strangers.
Guessing Game Scams
It’s not very hard to find some local performance artists on the streets of Maldives. And while it’s fun to watch these performances, some of them may try to swindle money out of you with a guessing game.
They will ask you to guess random numbers or colors, and if you get it right, they will give you something valuable like gold jewelry or cash. In reality, the only thing of “value” you will get is a really expensive bill for the game. To avoid this, don’t take part in any street performances and politely refuse if someone tries to engage you.
With some caution and knowledge about tourist scams in the Maldives, you can enjoy all that the paradise island has to offer without any worries. Just remember to be extra vigilant when it comes to accepting offers from random people on the street and always research the local currency or prices beforehand.
If you are ever unsure, just ask the hotel staff for help, and they should be more than happy to assist you. That way, you can enjoy a safe and pleasant journey in the Maldives.