Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Kōtō-ku, Tōkyō, Japan

All Topics about Kōtō-ku All Cities in Japan

1. Rickshaw Scams

Avoid overpriced rickshaw rides by agreeing on the price before starting the journey.

Unregulated Pricing: Rickshaws often lack set prices, making it essential to negotiate beforehand.
Foreigner Targeting: Foreigners are often targeted for higher prices due to their perceived wealth.
Time Wasting: Rickshaw drivers might take longer routes, wasting your time.

Avoid overcharges by using a taxi meter and confirming the price for flat-rate journeys.

Flat-Rate Fraud: Some drivers might claim the journey is a flat rate when it should be metered.
Misuse of Language Barrier: Language barrier can be exploited by unscrupulous taxi drivers.
Traffic Congestion Exploitation: Traffic congestion can make it difficult to verify the correct fare.

Avoid unlicensed tour guides who may overcharge or lead you to fraudulent stores.

Lack of Licensing: Tour guides without a license have not undergone required background checks.
Overcharging: Unlicensed guides may charge excessive fees for their services.
Fraudulent Attractions: They might lead you to stores that offer overpriced or fake products.

Avoid purchasing counterfeit goods by only buying from reputable stores and checking for quality.

Poor Quality: Counterfeit items are often of inferior quality compared to the original.
Legal Issues: Buying counterfeit goods can lead to legal problems if found by authorities.
Supporting Illicit Trade: Purchasing counterfeits helps fuel the illicit trade industry.

Avoid food poisoning by choosing busy street food vendors and checking for cleanliness.

Unhygienic Conditions: Food may be prepared in unhygienic conditions, increasing the risk of illness.
Overpricing: Some street food vendors may overprice their food, especially to tourists.
Inedible Ingredients: In some cases, unscrupulous vendors might use inedible ingredients.

Avoid coin switching by counting your change and checking it against the receipt.

Small Amounts: It is easier to go unnoticed when underpaying small amounts.
Lack of Attention: The distraction caused by the transaction makes it easy to switch coins.
Quick Transactions: Fast transactions make it difficult for customers to verify their change.

Avoid casino cheating by only playing at reputable casinos and being aware of common scams.

Marked Cards: Casino staff might use marked cards to manipulate the game.
Rigged Machines: Some gaming machines can be rigged to favor the house.
Collusion: Casino staff might collude with players to take advantage of others.

Avoid visiting fake attractions by researching your destinations thoroughly.

Lack of Authenticity: Fake attractions are designed to resemble authentic landmarks, but are not genuine.
Overcharging: Entrance fees for fake attractions can be significantly higher than real ones.
Time Wasting: Visiting a fake attraction wastes your valuable travel time.

Avoid pickpocketing by keeping valuables hidden and staying aware of your surroundings.

Crowded Places: Pickpockets often target crowded areas where it's easy to blend in.
Distractions: Distractions, such as street performers or loud noises, can make you an easy target.
Bump and Run: Pickpockets might bump into you to distract you while picking your pocket.

Avoid ATM scams by using bank-operated machines and covering the keypad while entering your PIN.

Skimming Devices: ATMs with skimming devices can copy your card and PIN information.
Fake ATMs: Fake ATMs might be set up to capture your card or obtain your PIN.
Shoulder Surfing: Someone might watch as you enter your PIN to steal your information.

Avoid internet café scams by only using trusted cafés and being cautious with personal data.

Keylogging: Cafés might have keyloggers installed to capture your login information.
Malware Infection: Computers in internet cafes can be infected with malware, potentially stealing data.
Unsecured Wi-Fi: Using unsecured wifi can expose your sensitive information to hacking.

Avoid hotel room scams by verifying the booking and checking the room for any discrepancies.

Booking Fraud: Fraudulent bookings might result in no reservation, or a different room than expected.
Room Tampering: Rooms might be tampered with to steal valuables, or plant hidden cameras.
Overcharging: Hotels might overcharge for services or unexpected fees.

Avoid car rental scams by using reputable agencies and checking the vehicle thoroughly.

Damaged Vehicle: Renting a damaged vehicle without documentation can lead to additional charges.
Oversized Fuel Tank: Some rental companies might claim the car has a larger fuel tank than it does.
Hidden Charges: Additional charges, such as insurance and tolls, might not be disclosed upfront.

Avoid ticket scalping by purchasing tickets from authorized sellers or official box offices.

Overpricing: Scalped tickets are often significantly more expensive than their face value.
Counterfeit Tickets: Counterfeit tickets might be sold as genuine, leading to entry denial or fraudulent charges.
Unauthorized Reselling: Buying from unauthorized resellers can result in tickets being invalid.

Avoid airport scams by researching the common scams and staying vigilant throughout your journey.

Bag Tag Switching: Someone might switch your bag tag to steal it, or plant contraband in your luggage.
Unofficial Assistance: Unofficial airport staff might offer assistance for a fee, but perform unnecessary services.
Currency Exchange Rip-offs: Airport currency exchanges often have unfavorable exchange rates and hidden fees.