Tourist scams in Spojené království — and how to avoid them
These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Spojené království, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Jak to funguje: Souvenir shops along the Royal Mile sell near-identical tartan scarves, whisky miniatures and 'genuine Scottish cashmere' that is often mass-produced abroad and marked up heavily for tourists.
Jak se mu vyhnout: Treat 'genuine Scottish' and 'cashmere' labels with scepticism, compare a few shops, and check where an item is actually made. For real quality, buy from an established woollen mill or department store rather than a Royal Mile gift shop.
Overpriced tourist restaurants
Jak to funguje: Restaurants right on the Royal Mile with laminated menus and tartan signage often charge well above the going rate for average food aimed squarely at passing tourists.
Jak se mu vyhnout: Walk a street or two off the main tourist route into the New Town, Stockbridge or Leith, where locals eat. Check recent reviews, and be wary of anywhere with a tout outside or photos of every dish on the menu.
Fake festival and tour tickets
Jak to funguje: Around the August festivals and popular ghost tours, scammers resell fake or non-existent tickets online and on the street, or scalp sold-out shows at inflated prices.
Jak se mu vyhnout: Buy only from the official Fringe, International Festival or venue box offices and the tour operator's own site. Avoid street resellers and social-media 'spare ticket' offers, and never pay by bank transfer to a stranger.
The 'it's closed' diversion
Jak to funguje: An overly helpful stranger tells you a landmark is shut for an event or maintenance and steers you instead to a particular shop, tour or taxi where they earn a commission.
Jak se mu vyhnout: Check opening times yourself on the official website or app rather than trusting a passer-by. Most major sights keep predictable hours, so verify before you change your plans or follow anyone.
Unlicensed minicabs
Jak to funguje: Away from official ranks, an unlicensed driver may offer a lift and then charge far more than a metered black cab or a booked app car, especially late at night near bars.
Jak se mu vyhnout: Use the metered white-and-black taxis from a marked rank, or book through a licensed app that shows the fare in advance. Do not get into an unbooked private car that approaches you on the street.
Jak to funguje: People with clipboards, often near major sights, ask you to sign a 'petition' or charity list, then press you for a cash donation while an accomplice may pick your pocket.
Jak se mu vyhnout: Do not stop or sign anything. Keep walking, keep your bag closed and in front, and give to registered charities through official channels only.
Three-cup shell game
Jak to funguje: A street operator hides a ball under one of three cups and invites bets. Planted 'winners' in the crowd lure you in, but the game is rigged and you cannot win.
Jak se mu vyhnout: Never play and never bet. It is a coordinated con with lookouts and pickpockets, so simply move on if you see a crowd gathered around one.
Unlicensed minicab overcharge
Jak to funguje: Drivers tout for fares outside stations, clubs and the airport, offering a 'taxi' with no meter, then charge a hugely inflated fare and may be unsafe or uninsured.
Jak se mu vyhnout: Only take a metered black cab from the street or a rank, or a car booked through a licensed app in advance. Never get into a car that approaches you touting for business.
ATM skimming and distraction
Jak to funguje: Card readers on some street cash machines are tampered with to copy your card, or a 'helpful' stranger distracts you to watch your PIN or swap your card.
Jak se mu vyhnout: Use machines inside banks where possible, cover the keypad as you type, and decline any offered help. Check the card slot for anything loose before inserting your card.