Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Palembang, Indonesia

1. Grand Mosque of Palembang Scam

Watch out for fake guides offering services around the mosque. Be wary of overpriced or forced purchases.

Unwanted Guides: Avoid individuals who approach you uninvited, offering unsolicited guidance.
Forced Purchases: Decline any offers for items or services not of your interest and negotiate prices if necessary.
Location Awareness: Research the area around the mosque beforehand to be familiar with the surroundings.

Be cautious of people offering cheap souvenirs or overpriced transportation services near the palace.

Cheap Souvenirs: Avoid buying souvenirs from street vendors without checking quality and price.
Overpriced Transportation: Negotiate transportation prices before agreeing to any services and confirm the destination.
Avoiding Distractions: Stay focused on your surroundings and do not get distracted by scam artists looking for opportunities.

Avoid boat operators charging high prices for short trips or adding hidden costs to the tour.

High Prices: Research the average cost of a Musi River Cruise and negotiate prices with operators before boarding.
Hidden Costs: Check for additional charges such as entrance fees, insurance, or gratuities before committing to the tour.
Reputable Operators: Choose operators with good reviews and recommendations from trusted sources.

Watch out for overpriced or counterfeit goods in local markets. Be cautious of aggressive vendors trying to sell you their wares.

Overpriced Goods: Negotiate prices with vendors, and be aware that lower prices can often be negotiated.
Counterfeit Items: Purchase from reputable vendors or look for quality indicators such as branding or certifications.
Aggressive Vendors: Remain calm and assertive when dealing with aggressive vendors, and do not feel pressured to make a purchase.

Be aware of taxi drivers who may charge you more than the regular fare or take a longer route to increase the price.

Overcharging: Have a basic understanding of taxi fares in Palembang, and negotiate prices before starting your journey.
Longer Routes: Use GPS or maps to confirm the route taken by the taxi driver, and ask for directions if necessary.
Prepaid Taxis: Consider using prepaid taxis when possible, as they offer fixed prices and reduce the risk of overcharging.

Be cautious of exchange booths offering unfavorable exchange rates or charging hidden fees for transactions.

Unfavorable Rates: Research the current exchange rate and compare it with multiple exchange booths before making a transaction.
Hidden Fees: Check for any additional fees or charges when exchanging currency, and avoid booths with unclear pricing structures.
Reputable Booths: Look for exchange booths with good reviews, located in secure areas and run by reputable businesses.

Be aware of street food vendors offering contaminated or substandard food. Watch out for overpriced dishes.

Contaminated Food: Avoid street food vendors that do not appear clean, and look for food preparation areas that are hygienic.
Overpriced Dishes: Research the cost of popular street foods in Palembang beforehand to avoid being overcharged.
Recommended Vendors: Ask locals for recommendations on trusted street food vendors, and look for areas with a high concentration of customers.

Be cautious of sim card vendors offering low-quality sim cards or charging hidden fees for their services.

Low-Quality Sim Cards: Research the best mobile providers in Palembang and look for official retailers when purchasing a sim card.
Hidden Fees: Check for any additional charges or fees associated with the sim card before making a purchase.
Data Packages: Ensure you understand the data package options and their associated costs before committing to a purchase.

Be aware of vendors offering counterfeit festival merchandise or overpriced food and drinks during festivals.

Counterfeit Merchandise: Look for official festival vendors selling genuine merchandise, and avoid street vendors offering similar products.
Overpriced Food & Drinks: Research the cost of food and drinks during festivals beforehand to avoid being overcharged.
Official Vendors: Find the official festival information booths, where you can ask questions and get recommendations on vendors and attractions.

Be aware of 'tukang tangan' (handymen) who may overcharge for their services or perform subpar work.

Overcharging: Research the average cost of common repairs and negotiate prices before agreeing to any services.
Subpar Work: Ask for references or reviews from previous customers, and ensure you understand the scope of work before hiring a tukang tangan.
Time Management: Set a deadline for completion of the work, and agree on any penalties for late completion.

Be cautious of accommodation providers offering subpar rooms, overpriced rates, or hidden fees.

Subpar Rooms: Research the accommodations in Palembang beforehand and look for rooms that meet your requirements.
Overpriced Rates: Compare room rates with multiple accommodation providers, and negotiate prices if necessary.
Hidden Fees: Ensure you understand any additional fees or charges before making a booking, such as tax, service charges, or cancellation policies.

Be aware of tour guides who may offer poor services, charge extra fees for unplanned stops, or pressure you into purchases.

Poor Services: Research the reputation of tour guides before booking a tour, and look for positive reviews and recommendations.
Extra Fees: Ask for a detailed itinerary and price breakdown before agreeing to any tours, including any potential additional costs.
Pressure Sales Tactics: Remain confident in your decisions and do not feel pressured to make unnecessary purchases during the tour.

Be aware of public transportation drivers who may overcharge for fares or take a longer route.

Overcharging: Research the fare prices for public transportation in Palembang before using the services.
Longer Routes: Use GPS or maps to confirm the route taken by the public transport, and ask for directions if necessary.
Reputable Transportation: Choose reputable public transportation options with good reviews and clear pricing structures.

Be aware of ATMs that may have skimmers or hidden cameras installed to steal your card information.

Skimmer Devices: Inspect the ATM for any unusual attachments, and avoid using ATMs that appear damaged or poorly maintained.
Hidden Cameras: Cover the keypad when entering your PIN number to protect yourself from hidden cameras.
Secure Locations: Use ATMs located in secure areas, such as banks or well-lit, high traffic locations.

Be cautious of children who may accompany you, offering fake friendship or begging for money.

Fake Friendship: Avoid accepting offers of friendship from strangers, especially children.
Begging for Money: Do not give money to beggars or street children, as it may encourage further begging and foster dependency.
Reporting Suspicious Activity: If you suspect a child is being exploited, report the situation to local authorities or trusted organizations.