Avoid These Popular Tourist Scams in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo by Ridhwan Nordin on Unsplash

Whenever you are traveling to some tourist hotspots, the chances are that you are going to encounter a tourist scam. There is nothing scary about that, you just need to know how to avoid them. Here are some popular ones that you might see during your visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

ATM Scam

The way ATM scams work in Kuala Lumpur is that the scammers install skimming devices and cameras to steal the info. So be careful when using ATMs, and make sure you check for any irregularities. The scammers will also often approach tourists that are trying to withdraw money and offer help. They will claim that they don’t want you to pay high fees but instead will look for a way to steal the credit card info or something else.  

Photography Scam

This might be one of the most popular tourist scams in Kuala Lumpur. The scammer will approach tourists and ask them to take a photo of them with a camera. When taking back the camera, they will drop it to the ground. After picking it up, the scammer will claim you’ve broken it and demand money for repair. So, when someone asks you to take their photo, politely decline.

Overcharging Scam

Overcharging is nothing new at tourist destinations, and Kuala Lumpur also has this problem. You’ll often encounter this at stalls or small shops that deal with cash. The seller will often try to lure you into the conversation and then use the lack of attention in several ways. They might claim they already had given you change when actually they kept it for themselves. Also, they might scan a different label behind the counter for some common products that are pricier than the ones you are buying.