Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Pekanbaru, Indonesia

1. Golden Mile Shopping Mall Scam

Watch out for overpriced goods or counterfeit items in this popular shopping mall.

Counterfeit Goods: Be aware that some goods might be counterfeit.
Overpricing: Some shops may overprice their items.
Avoid Unfamiliar Shops: Avoid unfamiliar or unpopular stores to reduce the risk of scams.

Be careful when taking a taxi from Sultan Thaha Airport, as some drivers may charge excessively or take a longer route.

Excessive Fares: Some taxis might charge excessively.
Longer Route: Drivers may take a longer route to increase the fare.
Pre-arrange Transportation: Pre-arrange your transportation to avoid this scam.

Some street food vendors at Pasar Siti Badrudzama might serve undercooked or contaminated food.

Undercooked Food: Food may not be fully cooked.
Contamination: Food might be contaminated with bacteria or other harmful substances.
Choose Reputable Vendors: Choose reputable vendors with good hygiene practices to minimize the risk of food-borne illnesses.

Be careful when exchanging currency in unofficial exchange booths or on the street. They might give you less money than agreed.

Giving Less Money: They may give you less money than agreed.
Unofficial Booths: Transactions in unofficial booths are not protected by law.
Use Authorized Outlets: Use authorized currency exchange outlets to avoid this scam.

Be careful when purchasing a SIM card at the bus terminal. Some vendors may sell you an inactive or faulty SIM card.

Inactive SIM Cards: SIM cards might be inactive.
Faulty SIM Cards: SIM cards might be faulty and not work properly.
Go to Authorized Shops: Buy your SIM card from authorized shops or official telco outlets.

Someone might 'find' an item of yours and return it to you with the intent to ask for a reward.

Asking for a Reward: The finder might ask for a reward, even though they did not actually find the item.
Staged Findings: Findings might be staged to lure you into a scam.
Check for Identification: Always check the finder's identification and verify their story before giving a reward.

Some accommodations along Jalan Haji Kahar Muda might not meet their advertised standards or charge excessively.

Excessive Charges: The accommodation may charge excessively.
Low Quality Standards: Accommodation might not meet the advertised standards.
Book Through Reputable Channels: Book your accommodation through reputable channels to avoid this scam.

Some unlicensed tour guides might offer their services and lead you to places where they receive commission.

Commission-based Recommendations: The guide may recommend places where they receive a commission.
No Licensing: The tour guide might not have the required licensing.
Book Through Reputable Agencies: Book your tours through reputable agencies to avoid this scam.

Some spas and massage centers might use low-quality oils or charge excessively.

Low Quality Oils: Spa and massage centers might use low-quality oils.
Excessive Charges: The service might charge excessively.
Check Reviews: Always check reviews before choosing a spa or massage center.

Some bars along Jalan Haji Kahar Muda might overcharge for drinks or serve watered-down alcohol.

Overcharging: The bar might charge excessively.
Watered Down Alcohol: Alcohol might be watered down.
Choose Reputable Bars: Choose reputable bars with good reviews to avoid this scam.

Be aware of pickpockets operating at crowded areas like Pasar Siti Badrudzama.

Crowded Areas: Pickpocketing is more common in crowded areas.
Keep Your Belongings Secure: Keep your belongings secure at all times, especially in crowded places.
Use a Hidden Money Belt: Consider using a hidden money belt to keep your valuables safe.

Be cautious when buying tickets for events at the Stadium Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II. Some tickets might be fake or overpriced.

Fake Tickets: Tickets might be counterfeit.
Overpricing: Tickets might be overpriced.
Buy from Official Outlets: Always buy tickets from official outlets to avoid this scam.

Be cautious when renting motorbikes, as some unlicensed rental services might not provide insurance or maintain the vehicles properly.

No Insurance: Rental services might not offer insurance.
Poor Maintenance: Motorbikes might not be properly maintained.
Rent from Reputable Agencies: Rent your motorbike from reputable agencies to avoid this scam.

Some money changer shops might give you less money than agreed or charge hidden fees.

Less Money Given: The money changer might give you less money.
Hidden Fees: The shop might charge hidden fees.
Choose Authorized Outlets: Always choose authorized money changer outlets to avoid this scam.

Be aware of pickpockets and fraudsters operating at night markets where tourists gather.

Pickpocketing: Pickpocketing is more common in dark areas.
Fraudulent Transactions: Some vendors might engage in fraudulent transactions.
Stay Alert and Be Careful: Stay alert, keep your belongings secure, and be careful when transacting at night markets.