Recently one of my friends almost got into a spot of bother until, thank heavens, his wife slap him out of his gloss eyed, too good to be true mood. The story begins when he was introduced to a *cough cough* international businessman, who runs an architect firm.
They asked him to be part of this multi-million deal, building a new hotel. He was the white face for the government officials, with his very own project manager name card. He only had to sit on in meetings and add an international flavor, to add extra reputation to their group.
The government officials couldn’t speak English and he can’t speak Chinese. So no questions could be asked between the two. For just eating at a restaurant they were willing to pay 500 dollars for each meeting.
It sounds like a no-risk, easy money opportunity. Their website seems flashy and up to date and the guys are confident and know what they are talking about. What is the harm?
However, when you start thinking about it, the deal looks increasingly dodge. First, they are an international firm and all the Chinese people involved can speak English fluently. So there only contact with a white person is a stranger…If it’s a good opportunity why not give it to a friend or a co-worker, seeing as they are an international firm?
Secondly, its anything but risk-free, as you have no idea what they are telling these government officials and you are handing over a card telling them that you are managing this project. Even if they don’t give them your business card, what happens if they ask you to sign the minutes after the meeting.
It’s not an unreasonable request they will just sit there silently holding the pen, waiting for you to sign your name. Then you have given your name or business card to government officials. At the best they could be trying to scam you out of some money at the worst they could be trying to scam the Chinese government and leaving you with the blame. This is very uncommon but it got me thinking about scams I have heard about, seen or have been caught by. Here is my list below.
1. Expo – Tourist Entrance Scam
This happens all over the world but if you’re going to the expo in China you need to beware. At the entrance, there will always be many people. Some may offer you the chance to join their group and get the group discount. What a deal, you are thinking. As you give them your money and wait as they never return.
OR
If you are smart, you watch them buy the tickets. Getting your ticket back, you say your goodbyes, queue up, give your ticket in and find out its a fake. Buy your ticket from the machine or an official person!!
2. Tea Ceremony Honey Trap Scam
If you are walking by yourself or in a pair, then you might get a lot of attention from a nice young girl (If you are a guy) or a polite young man (if you’re a couple or a woman). They will start chatting with you, telling you about the city and the history or where you can go to have a good time in Shanghai. It seems like a nice, interesting conversation with a nice, interesting person.
WRONG.
They will offer to take you to a tea house or to get a drink. S/he will order for you. You will have a lovely time until the bill comes and it several hundred dollars. S/he might even offer to pay half and then you will feel that you have to. Don’t. You can always haggle and change the price.
A tea ceremony (this is over 1 hour and you try several different types of teas) can be 200 to 500 RMB. Unfortunately, some places have big guys outside and will intimidate you. Your best move is after this happens to go to your hotel and complain and get the police involved.
To really get things moving offer an incentive to the hotel personnel, 10 % of the refund. As the police can be very lazy unless someone pushes them. (if the hotel staff are from Shanghai, it will be even more effective)
(Also this happens in restaurants as well, you order tea. The Chinese staff will give you the most expensive one. The bill comes and the tea is twice the amount of the food. Refuse to pay, and make a scene. This is their fault and they know it. If you complain in any language loud enough they will change the bill.
3. Cheap Tour Scams
When you go on a Cheap tour. You are thinking you are saving money. These tours usually make up this money by stopping in certain stores (with promises of toilets). These stores know you are a tourist and know if they cheat you, you cant return the items or complain. BE CAREFUL. I have had many friends buy something from these types of stores thinking they are real gemstone or products and it turns out to be faked.
You can usually buy 99 % of the items in those stores for a cheaper price in the Market. Don’t think just because your tour group says it’s legitimate that it is.
4. The Market Scam
OK, this is not really a scam more common sense that most tourists don’t follow. Most tourists think when the haggling has finished then the shopping experience is over. After the adrenaline rush of haggling, they just want to leave.
The experience, however, is not over. A market is not like a shop back home. You can’t return the items. When you agree to the price, you should look over the item for at least 5 minutes making sure everything is perfect. No hole, tears, marks or stretch marks. (Tip – When buying shoes or clothes, argue a price before you put them on. As when you try on shoes or clothes the shop keeper usually holds your old pair and will keep them to keep the dialog open).
If you haggle first, then you can do it to him. Even if it’s a perfect fit you can say they don’t feel comfortable and knock some more money off. In China’s markets, you will encounter grabbing and pulling, if you are not used to this then this can be unsettling. Be firm but gentle, push them away but don’t shove them and remember you can do this as well. Make a price and if the shop keeper walks away, you are allowed to *gentle* grab him as well.
5. Online Scam
Buying anything expensive online can be risky. Are the discounts too good to be true? Scamchecker is a great website that shows you in more detail on how to avoid these sites. Plus a list of websites that you should avoid at all costs. An overview of it says
+ NEVER PAY BY WESTERN.UNION- you get no protection, once the money goes it is gone
+ Check grammar and spelling. If it is an international, big company, it won’t make silly grammar or spelling mistakes.
+ NEVER sent more money because of customs, due to either shipping or tax costs. They have already scammed you and want more money. Even if they have a mailing tracking order. (You have no idea what is in that mail)
+ Google or search engine the company name with fraud or scam. You can find out some of its company’s history.
+ Use tools on the link above to find out if contact information matches website registry information. (read the website for more details, it is very useful and he is very helpful)
6. Bike/Scooter Taxis Scam
The problem with this scam is that half the time it is not and in fact a great experience. These bike taxis or scooter taxis that pull you along in a small carriage are great fun. They allow you to see more of the sights.
However, sometimes they will agree on a price for you and then charge it per person instead. Also on occasion, they will park near all their friends and they will gather around you to intimate you for more money.
To be sure never to encounter this always use official taxis with the meter(as they are almost the same price) but if you still want to use them, which I do. I found that people who are local are usually nicer and more helpful.
Also NEVER use them to get to the train station, airport or even bus station. If they know you are leaving the city then they don’t have to worry about repercussions and it’s more likely to happen.
7. Traditional Chinese Medicine Scam
Another score for the cheap budge tour as they are often included in cheap tours. It’s a fascinating experience to have your pulse point check and it is well worth going to but remember to be firm and say no to the medicine you will be offered as they diagnose everyone with some type of illness.
As it will be very expensive and won’t help you at all. If you want it as a souvenir then always push the price down. For most of the medicine, I would say AT LEAST 10 times lower.
8. Your Bill Scan
Pubs, restaurants or wine bars; nowhere is safe from scams. If you are having a big meal with friends or a big drinking session, don’t be surprised if the bill comes back bigger than anyone expected. It’s hard to remember who ordered what and in the end, you usually pay the increased price.
To solve this in a restaurant make sure you count the dishes and keep a hold of the menu, so you can compare. For pubs and wine bars, you should go for the pay as you drink option. This doesn’t give the premise a chance to cheat you.
9. Beggar Scam
This isn’t really a big scam but it the one that gets me the most annoyed. You will encounter a lot of beggars; disfigured, babies and young girls.
They will grab you, shove a baby into your face, give you flowers or cry, in the hope that they will get money from you. Some times these babies are stolen, other times they are intentionally disfigured but even if they are not, parents are still forcing their children to work very late instead of caring for them or allowing them to go to school. You do not help the child but the parent when you give money.
If you want to help, give to an international company that works in China, as some charities in China have rumors of corruption.
10. Helping Scam
Unfortunately helping people can get you into a lot of trouble here. For example, I was at the park and a young baby trotted up to me and sat down next to me and my friends. We were concerned as the mother or father was nowhere to be seen. After 10 minutes of looking, we went to the nearby security guard and he started accusing us of stealing the baby to sell.
He demanded money from us to provide for the baby or he wouldn’t be able to take the child away. It was a bit like emotional blackmail, charging us to help this child.
This scam comes in all forms, from helping an old lady up after someone else knocks her down and then being excused of knocking her down yourself to accidentally bumping into someone or hitting them and they fake injury and get the police involved. As the police are there to negotiate compensation and you are not allowed to leave until something is agreed.
Always have your hotel number on you for help, be firm and don’t be intimated. Keep saying “No” to the money they want.