Amsterdam, Netherlands, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, with close to 10 million visitors arriving in the city each year. And you know what that means—where there are a lot of tourists, there are also scammers looking to cheat them out of their hard-earned money.
So, if you don’t want to return from your trip with an empty wallet, check out these common tourist scams in Amsterdam and how to avoid them.
Boat Rides
A boat ride down the canals of Amsterdam sure sounds nice, especially if a kind stranger offers it to you for free. However, this is usually a scam that ends up with the “kind stranger” stopping his boat while in the middle of the canal and asking you a hefty fee.
Fake Police
It isn’t unusual to see individuals posing as police officers and preying on clueless tourists. They will often approach tourists and ask them questions about either drugs or counterfeit currency. Then, the fake police will either “confiscate” your money, claiming it is fake, or take your bags for “examination.” Amsterdam police almost never do this, so if a “police officer” asks to check your money or bag, know it is probably a scammer.
Street Dealers
With Amsterdam being known for its loose stance on marijuana, you might not be surprised when someone approaches you on the street to offer you to buy some of it or offer you free samples. You should pass on the opportunity, as their stuff is usually very low in quality and can be dangerous.
Used Public Transportation Tickets
This is a common one in all of the big cities. Scalpers will offer you cheap tickets for public transportation, trying to convince you that you are getting a good deal. But those tickets are almost always used and can get you in trouble.