Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Nanning, Guangxi, China

All Topics about Nanning All Cities in China

1. Taxi Scams

Avoid unlicensed taxis and negotiate the fare before starting your journey.

Unregistered Taxis: May not have a meter and can overcharge.
Refusal to Use Meter: Driver may refuse to use meter, demanding an inflated price.
Unfamiliarity with Destination: Driver may pretend not to know your destination to ask for a higher fare.

Be wary of street vendors selling counterfeit goods. Check for quality and be prepared to haggle.

Poor Quality: Products may break or cease functioning quickly.
Lack of Legal Protection: Purchasing counterfeit goods can lead to legal issues if confiscated by authorities.
Health Risks: Counterfeit electronics may pose a fire or safety risk, while counterfeit food and drink items could make you ill.

Use ATMs inside banks or shopping malls to avoid card skimming. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.

Card Skimming: Fraudsters attach a device to the ATM to copy your card details.
Shoulder Surfing: Criminals observe you entering your PIN and use that information for fraudulent activities.
Fake ATMs: Criminals install fake ATMs in less crowded locations to steal your card information.

Enjoy street performances, but be aware that some may attempt to pressure you into giving a large tip.

Aggressive Solicitation: Performers may demand a larger tip than expected.
Multiple Performances: Performers may join together to increase the pressure for a larger tip.
Distraction Theft: While you're distracted by the performance, pickpockets may target your belongings.

Avoid unofficial guides and agree on a fee before starting the tour.

Unregistered Guides: May provide misleading or incorrect information.
Excessive Fees: Guide may demand an inflated price for the tour.
Unauthorized Activities: Guide may lead you to unauthorized or dangerous areas.

Stick to established bars and avoid drinking anything that isn't sealed. Keep your belongings secure.

Be aware of monks or temple staff asking for donations. Donate only to official collections.

False Monks: Fraudulent monks may ask for donations, but not all of the money goes towards religious causes.
Excessive Donation Requests: Some staff may ask for larger donations than necessary.
Donation Box Theft: Donation boxes may be tampered with or stolen, and the money not used for its intended purpose.

Avoid stalls with no customers. Check portion sizes before ordering.

Lack of Customers: Stall may have low customer volume due to poor quality or scam practices.
Small Portions: Stall may serve smaller portions than expected, but charge the same price as other establishments.
Overpriced Food: Stall may charge significantly more for food than other similar establishments.

Be cautious when making transactions or negotiations with people who speak limited English. Verify prices and agreements.

Price Manipulation: Sellers may manipulate the price due to language barriers.
Misunderstandings: Language barriers can lead to misunderstandings and disputes over transactions.
Scams Targeting Foreigners: Criminals may target foreigners who have difficulty communicating in the local language.

Book your hotel room through reputable sources and inspect the room before accepting it.

Overbooked Rooms: Hotel may overbook rooms, resulting in poor service or no room availability.
Unsanitary Conditions: Room may not be cleaned properly, posing health risks to guests.
Insecure Lockboxes: Lockboxes may be weak or tampered with, increasing the risk of theft.

Avoid using internet cafes for sensitive transactions. Use a VPN to protect your data.

Data Theft: Internet cafes may be equipped with keyloggers, allowing thieves to steal your personal information.
Slow or Unreliable Internet: Cafes may offer slow or unreliable internet service.
Invasive Monitoring: Cafes may monitor your online activity, potentially compromising your privacy.

Use public transportation whenever possible. Be wary of unofficial bus conductors or tuk-tuk drivers demanding excessive fares.

Unofficial Conductors: Conductors may demand more than the actual fare, claiming it to be the correct price.
Unreliable Transportation: Unofficial transportation may be slow or unreliable due to lack of regulation and maintenance.
Dangerous Routes: Unofficial transport providers may take dangerous routes, putting passengers at risk.

Avoid eating from street vendors that do not have a clean environment or use gloves. Cooked food should be served hot.

Unhygienic Conditions: Vendors may lack proper hygiene practices, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.
Contaminated Food: Food may be contaminated by bacteria or viruses due to poor handling and storage practices.
Cold Food: Food should be served hot to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

Be wary of business cards with non-local phone numbers. Verify contacts' identities before engaging in transactions.

Fraudulent Contacts: Criminals may use fake business cards to impersonate legitimate businesses or individuals.
Scams via Unverified Contacts: Transactions with unverified contacts can lead to financial losses, identity theft, or other scams.
Misinformation: Business cards may contain misleading information, such as false names or contact details.

Be cautious when meeting strangers who offer friendship. Avoid sharing personal information or valuables with them.

Identity Theft: Strangers may use the information you share for identity theft.
Theft: Strangers may ask to borrow your belongings, never returning them.
Scams: Strangers may attempt various scams, such as ATM skimming or credit card fraud.