Paris, France, is one of the most visited places in the world. As such, the city has become swarmed with scammers who are looking for ways to trick tourists out of their money. If you want to avoid becoming their victim, check out some of the common tourist scams you might encounter in Paris.
Gift Scams
Gift scams are common in major European cities, so Paris is no different. They usually involve a scammer approaching you and giving you a “gift” in the form of a friendship bracelet or a flower. But it is not a gift. As soon as you accept it, they will start demanding money for it and make a scene in order to make you uncomfortable if you refuse.
Charity Petitions
You will be approached by a person holding a clipboard. They will say they are collecting petition signatures for some random cause and ask you to sign it. Usually, some false heartbreaking story follows before you are asked to make a donation. If you end up donating money, it will most likely end up in scammers pockets.
Gold Ring
This scam has been on the rise in Paris in recent years. The scammer will “notice” a gold ring or another valuable-looking piece of jewelry on the ground. They will pick it up and ask if you’ve dropped it. When you say no, they will examine it further and then “conclude” it is quite valuable. The scammer will then try to sell you the item, claiming that it is worth much more than you are paying for it. But in reality, it is a worthless piece of metal.