Hong Kong

Shopping scams

There are many shopping scams that can be added to any travel scam list.

• Fake Designer and Counterfeit Goods – Many items are often made from knockoffs and inferior quality parts because of poor safety regulations in China and HK. 

• Bait and Switch #1 – One item is presented to the customer, but the customer receives a second item after the sale. The customer pays for the item while the sales assistant goes to pick it up in the stockroom. This is particularly common for people who stop briefly on tours, buses or transfers, and then return to the store.

• Bait and Switch #2 – A “superior” item is presented to you, which may be different from the one that you are currently looking at. Although it is presented in the best light, this “superior quality” item actually has a lower quality. This convinces you to buy this item.

• Extras Not Included – Your item will be quoted a price, but any extras are conveniently overlooked. You don’t think about extras, as they are usually included with the main item

• Antiques Scam – This is when the origin and age of an item is grossly exaggerated or fabricated, and fakes are passed off to be genuine artifacts. This could be illustrated by coins or artifacts that claim to be from the Ming-Mongol, Byzantine, Roman, or Byzantine eras.

   

The Massage Scam

A well-spoken woman will approach you on the street and offer a massage. You can also ask them to point you in the right direction for the best massages in their area.

If you are willing to agree, you will be taken to a private apartment, which is often isolated, somewhere in the city.

This could be done in a number of ways:

• Minutes into the massage, an official-looking person enters the room, citing illegalities, solicitation and the threat of arrest, asking for money (or a bribe).
• A mafia gang enters and demands a shockingly high price in comparison to the initial price for the use of the room and time spent with the girl.

Refusal to pay will result in the possibility of being taken to the police or injuring yourself. The only way out is to make payment.

Fake Monks Scam

Monks who are authentic do not ask for money. They are officially supported by the association they belong to. This is why you should be suspicious of “monks” who are seen on the streets holding a bowl and asking for money donations.

These fake monks are often seen in tourist areas like Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Jalan Alor.

Unscrupulous Taxi Operators

You should know the taxi fare and insist that the meter be turned on. If this does not happen, exit and get the next taxi.

Although not as widespread as it used to be, a taxi scam in Hong Kong was well-known for targeting foreigners who are drunk.

They exploited a design flaw in their vehicles so that the window could burst upon closing under certain conditions. The back window can sometimes knock against the door joints upon closing by being lowered just a few centimetres. The passenger is accused of smashing the glass and slamming it too hard.

Fake tickets Scam

Be cautious if you are approached by someone to buy tickets at a cheaper price for an event or show in Hong Kong. There is a chance that this could be a great deal, but it’s more likely that the ticket will be faked or you have to pay for a second-rate one.

The Traditional Tea Ceremony Scam

This is for tourists who are new to the area and want to experience the local culture.

Here, a scammer or two or three decent-looking (usually female) women approach single travellers. These opening lines are often used to ask for information. This can help them gain trust by sharing things with you or showing genuine interest in you. It can also cause you to lower your guard. The traveller is invited to join the event or activity. Most commonly, this is a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. You are led into a private room in a back alley teahouse.

Travellers are led to believe that the tea is cheap by the appearance and size of the cups but will be shocked when they receive a ridiculous bill at the end. Scammers may also ask for money to buy gifts from the teahouse.

This can also be done by inviting to a karaoke or art gallery, or any other event.