These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Indonesia, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Paano ito gumagana: Some street money changers advertising unbeatable rates use rigged calculators, sleight of hand or distractions to hand back less cash than you are owed while counting.
Paano ito iwasan: Use only authorised money changers or withdraw from a bank ATM. Count the cash yourself before handing over your notes, do not let the clerk recount it out of sight, and walk away from rates that look too good.
Paano ito gumagana: Street taxis and touts, especially near the airport and tourist spots, refuse the meter and quote a heavily inflated flat fare, sometimes claiming the ride-hailing apps are 'not allowed'.
Paano ito iwasan: Use the Grab or Gojek apps for a fixed, fair price, or an official metered airport taxi. Agree any fare in advance if you must take a street taxi, and know roughly what the trip should cost.
Paano ito gumagana: Card-skimming devices are sometimes fitted to ATMs in tourist areas, copying your card details, and standalone machines in dark corners are higher risk.
Paano ito iwasan: Use ATMs attached to or inside a bank branch, cover the keypad as you enter your PIN, check the card slot for anything loose, and monitor your account for unexpected charges.
Paano ito gumagana: Cut-price operators for water sports, treks, rafting or scooter rental may use poor equipment, provide no safety briefing and carry no insurance, then dodge responsibility if something goes wrong.
Paano ito iwasan: Book adventure activities through reputable, well-reviewed operators, ask about safety gear and insurance, and never let a rental hold your passport. Pay a little more for a properly run trip.
Paano ito gumagana: At the airport and tourist spots, touts in similar blue cars or unmarked taxis mimic the reputable Bluebird brand, quote inflated fixed rates two to four times the metered fare, or refuse to run the meter, sometimes copying a near-identical bird logo.
Paano ito iwasan: Use the Grab or Gojek app, or the official Bluebird app, so the fare is fixed in advance. If taking a street taxi, board only genuine Blue Bird / Silver Bird cars and insist the meter (argo) is on before moving.
Paano ito gumagana: Kiosks advertise unusually high 'no commission' rates to lure you in, then shortchange you through fast counting, sleight of hand or last-second deductions, often avoiding a receipt.
Paano ito iwasan: Change money only at authorized dealers inside banks or reputable branded outlets, count every note yourself before leaving the counter, and reject any rate that seems too good to be true.
Paano ito gumagana: Criminals attach hidden card-skimming devices and cameras to ATMs, or a stranger offers to 'help' when your card jams to capture your card and PIN. Standalone street machines are the biggest risk.
Paano ito iwasan: Use ATMs inside bank branches or guarded malls, cover the keypad when entering your PIN, and never accept help from strangers. Check your statements after your trip.
Paano ito gumagana: Touts near Kota Tua, Monas and transit hubs pose as official guides or ticket sellers, then demand inflated fees, sell invalid tickets, or steer you to overpriced shops for a commission, sometimes with a 'closed today, come with me' story.
Paano ito iwasan: Buy tickets only at official counters or app platforms, decline unsolicited guide offers, and verify opening hours yourself. Agree any price and scope clearly before accepting a service.
Paano ito gumagana: At Bangsal, the mainland port for the Gili Islands, touts intercept tourists before they reach the official ticket office and sell 'tickets' at several times the real fare, or claim the cheap public boat is full or cancelled to push a pricey private charter.
Paano ito iwasan: Walk past the touts straight to the official ticket window, where public fares are posted on a board. The slow boat costs only about a dollar; a private charter is a genuine option but agree the price clearly and know you are paying a premium.
Paano ito gumagana: Unofficial drivers at Lombok International Airport and around tourist areas quote fares far above the going rate, especially to first-time arrivals, and some take long routes to inflate a metered fare.
Paano ito iwasan: Use the official airport taxi desk, a metered Blue Bird taxi, or a ride-hailing app that fixes the price in advance. Agree the fare before you get in, and decline drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
Paano ito gumagana: Near the Rinjani trailheads and online, some individuals pose as licensed guides or booking agents, take a deposit for a trek, then provide an under-equipped guide, a different itinerary, or in the worst cases never turn up.
Paano ito iwasan: Book through an established, reviewed operator with a real address, confirm exactly what the price includes, and check that your guide is registered. Avoid paying large sums in cash up front to someone you met at the trailhead.
Paano ito gumagana: Boat operators on the Gili Islands sometimes quote a low headline price, then add charges at sea for equipment, marine-park fees or 'captain tips', and visit fewer sites than promised.
Paano ito iwasan: Confirm the full price in writing, exactly which stops are included, and whether gear and any park fees are covered before you board. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, and choose an operator with clear reviews.
Paano ito gumagana: A small number of rental shops photograph an already-scratched scooter after you return it and demand a large payment for 'new' damage, sometimes holding your passport as leverage.
Paano ito iwasan: Photograph or film the whole scooter before you leave the shop, note existing damage with the owner, and never hand over your passport as a deposit. Rent from a guesthouse or a shop with good reviews and pay a cash deposit instead.
Paano ito gumagana: A friendly local, often a middle-aged man, strikes up a chat near Malioboro or the Kraton, claims a special batik 'exhibition' is closing today, and steers you to a hidden gallery where high-pressure sellers push mass-produced cloth at inflated 'artist' prices.
Paano ito iwasan: Be sceptical of any stranger who offers to show you an exhibition or claims it is ending today. Do not follow anyone to an unmarked gallery. Buy batik from established shops or Beringharjo market, where you can compare prices freely.
Paano ito gumagana: A becak or minivan driver offers a city tour for a suspiciously low flat fare, then spends it hauling you to batik, silver and souvenir shops where he earns a commission and prices are marked up.
Paano ito iwasan: Agree a clear route and price for A-to-B trips only, and refuse a cut-price 'whole day' tour. If a driver insists on shop stops you did not ask for, get out. Use a ride-hailing app for straightforward transfers.
Paano ito gumagana: Some street and airport taxis will not use the meter, claim it is broken, or quote a high flat fare once they see you are a tourist, especially for airport and late-night trips.
Paano ito iwasan: Insist on the meter (argometer) before setting off; if the driver refuses, take another or use Gojek or Grab, which fix the fare in the app. Agree the airport taxi price in advance at the official counter.
Paano ito gumagana: At Borobudur, Prambanan or the Kraton, a self-appointed 'guide' may attach himself to you, offer a special viewpoint or story, then demand a steep fee at the end.
Paano ito iwasan: Decide clearly whether you want a guide and hire a licensed one, who carries official ID, from the ticket office. Settle any fee in writing before starting, and a firm, polite 'no thank you' turns away the rest.
Paano ito gumagana: Shops near the tourist sites often open at very high prices, present ordinary crafts as rare antiques, or quote foreigners several times the local rate, expecting you not to haggle.
Paano ito iwasan: Bargaining is normal in Jogja's markets; expect to pay well under the first price. Compare a few stalls, be sceptical of genuine-antique claims, and buy silver, batik and puppets from reputable shops.