Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia
1. Metro Scam at Strelka Square
A scam involving pickpockets in crowded areas like Strelka Square near the metro station. They often target tourists who are unfamiliar with the city.
- Crowded Location: High tourist traffic area makes it easier for pickpockets to blend in.
- Distraction Tactics: Scammers may use distractions like dropping items or asking for help to gain your attention.
- Pickpocketing: The primary goal is to pick pockets while the victim is distracted.
2. Taxi Scam at Train Station
Overpriced or fraudulent taxi services near the train station. Some drivers may not use a meter or claim it is broken.
- Location: Scammers often wait for unsuspecting tourists at the train station.
- Price Manipulation: Drivers may charge excessive prices or claim a higher fare than the actual cost.
- Fraudulent Taxis: Some taxis may not be licensed, putting passengers at risk.
3. Counterfeit Souvenir Shops
Shops selling counterfeit or low-quality souvenirs in tourist areas like Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street.
- Tourist Area Location: Scammers set up shops in popular tourist spots to attract unsuspecting visitors.
- Counterfeit Goods: Items sold are often low-quality or fake, with no guarantee of authenticity.
- Overpriced Items: Prices for these goods are inflated compared to legitimate stores.
4. Currency Exchange Scams
Unfavorable exchange rates at unofficial currency exchange offices. They can be found in tourist areas and markets.
- Location: Scammers often set up shop near tourist attractions or busy markets.
- Unfavorable Exchange Rates: Rates offered are significantly worse than official exchange offices.
- Lack of Regulation: These exchange offices may operate without regulation, putting your money at risk.
5. Fraudulent Guides and Tours
Tour guides who offer low prices but provide poor service or take tourists to unapproved attractions.
- Low Prices: Guides may lure customers in with unusually low prices.
- Unapproved Attractions: Tours may take you to locations not approved by the city, often for the guide's personal gain.
- Poor Service: The quality of service provided during the tour is significantly lower than expected.
6. ATM Scams in Bank Kiosks
Skimming devices attached to ATMs in bank kiosks. These devices capture your card information for fraudulent use.
- Bank Kiosk Location: Scammers place skimming devices at ATMs located inside banks to appear legitimate.
- Skimming Device: A device attached to the card reader captures your card information.
- PIN Camera: Hidden cameras may be used to capture your PIN as you enter it.
7. Street Food Poisoning
Food vendors who use poor quality or contaminated ingredients in their food. This can lead to illness for unsuspecting tourists.
- Low-quality Ingredients: Vendors may use expired, contaminated, or poor-quality ingredients.
- Street Location: Food vendors operating on the street are less regulated and more likely to use substandard ingredients.
- Illness Risk: Eating contaminated food can lead to illness, ruining your travel experience.
8. Friendly Stranger Scams
Individuals who approach tourists pretending to be friendly but are actually looking for an opportunity to scam you.
- Appeal as a Friend: Scammers pretend to be friendly, often asking for directions or help, to gain your trust.
- Distraction Tactics: Once they have gained your trust, scammers may distract you to steal from you or lead you to a scam location.
- Scam Methods: The specific scam method used by the stranger can vary but often involves some form of theft or deception.
9. Fraudulent Accommodation
Renting accommodations that do not exist or are significantly different from the advertised photos.
- Advertisement: Scammers may post fake ads for accommodations on various platforms.
- Differences from Advertised Photos: The actual accommodation may be significantly different in quality or condition from the advertised photos.
- No Existing Accommodation: Scammers may take payment for a nonexistent accommodation, leaving you without a place to stay.
10. Coin Operated Bus Scam
Bus drivers may claim that the bus requires payment but are actually operating on a free city service.
- City Service: Scammers target buses that operate as part of the city's free public transportation system.
- Claiming Payment is Required: Drivers claim that payment is required for the ride, even though it is a free service.
- Fraudulent Payment Collection: Passengers are forced to pay an inflated fare or pay multiple times for the same ride.
11. Counterfeit Russian Bills
Receiving counterfeit Russian bills during transactions. Scammers may also try to exchange your genuine bills for fake ones.
- Transaction Location: Scammers often target tourists who are not familiar with Russian currency.
- Counterfeit Bills: The bills provided may be counterfeit, making them worthless.
- Exchanging Genuine Bills: Scammers may try to exchange your genuine Russian bills for counterfeit ones.
12. Fraudulent Car Parking
Parking attendants who demand more money than agreed upon or damage your vehicle while parking.
- Agreed Price: Scammers may demand a higher price for parking than the originally agreed amount.
- Damage to Vehicle: Parking attendants may damage your vehicle while parking it, then demanding additional payment for repairs.
- Unauthorized Charges: Scammers may charge you for unnecessary services or claim that additional fees are due.
13. Shoe Shine Scam
A scammer offers a shoe shine, then claims an excessive fee or demands payment for additional services.
- Offering Services: Scammers approach you offering a service, such as shining your shoes.
- Excessive Fee Claim: The scammer demands an excessive fee for the shoe shine or claims that additional services are required.
- Pressure Tactics: Scammers may use pressure tactics to make you feel obligated to pay the inflated fee.
14. Charity Scam
Individuals or groups claiming to be collecting for charity but are actually scammers.
- Fake Charity Collectors: Scammers pretend to collect money for a charity, but the funds never reach the intended recipient.
- Pressure Tactics: Scammers may use emotional appeal or pressure tactics to get you to donate.
- Lack of Proof: There is no proof provided that the funds are going towards a legitimate charity.
15. Free City Tour Scam
A free city tour offered as a ploy to sell overpriced souvenirs or services at the end of the tour.
- Free Tour Offer: Scammers offer a free city tour but intend to sell you something expensive at the end.
- Overselling Expensive Items: The items being sold at the end of the tour are overpriced or unnecessary.
- High-pressure Sales Tactics: Scammers may use high-pressure sales tactics to force you into purchasing the items.