First Time in China? Common Scams & How to Protect Yourself

How it Works:

You’ll be approached, often in popular tourist areas like Beijing’s Tiananmen Square/Forbidden City, Shanghai’s Bund, or Xi’an’s Bell Tower, by seemingly friendly individuals (often young women or “art students”). They’ll strike up a conversation, compliment you, and after building some rapport, invite you to a “traditional tea ceremony,” to see their “art exhibition,” or to practice English at a “special” café. Once there, you’ll be presented with an outrageously inflated bill for mediocre tea or low-quality art, sometimes amounting to hundreds of US dollars. Intimidation tactics might be used if you refuse to pay.

Red Flags:

• Unsolicited approaches by overly friendly individuals speaking good English.
• Immediate invitations to a private or specific establishment.
• Reluctance to go to a place of your choosing.
• Vague descriptions of the place or event.
• Pressure to accompany them.

Common Tactics:

• Overcharging/Refusing to Use the Meter: The driver might claim the meter (计价器 – Jìjiàqì) is broken or quote a high flat fee, especially from airports, train stations, or late at night.
• Scenic Route: Taking a much longer route than necessary to inflate the metered fare.
• Fake Taxis (“Black Cabs” – 黑车 Hēichē): Unlicensed taxis that often overcharge significantly or can be unsafe. They might look like regular taxis but lack official markings or have suspicious-looking meters.
• Tampered Meters: Meters that run unusually fast.
• Short-Changing: Giving incorrect change for cash payments.

How to Avoid:

• Always use official, licensed taxis. Look for a clear taxi sign on top, a visible meter, and the driver’s license displayed.
• Join official taxi queues at airports and train stations. Avoid touts offering rides.
• Insist the driver uses the meter before starting the journey: “Dǎbiǎo, hǎo ma?” (打表，好吗? – Use the meter, okay?). If they refuse, get out and find another taxi.
• Have your destination written down in Chinese characters. Show it to the driver.
• Use ride-hailing apps like DiDi (you’ll need a Chinese payment method or an international credit card linked, and a local SIM can help). These apps show the route and estimated fare upfront.
• Pay attention to the route on a map app on your phone if you have data.
• Try to pay with smaller bills to avoid issues with large notes and change. Better yet, use Alipay or WeChat Pay if the taxi supports it (many do).
• Note the taxi’s license plate number if you feel something is amiss.

How it Works:

You pay with a large genuine banknote (e.g., ¥100), and the vendor or taxi driver might quickly swap it for a fake one, then claim your original note was counterfeit and refuse to accept it, or they give you fake notes as change. This is less common now with the prevalence of mobile payments but can still occur.

How to Avoid:

• Familiarize yourself with the look and feel of genuine Chinese Yuan (RMB). Look for watermarks, security threads, and texture.
• Whenever possible, use mobile payments (Alipay/WeChat Pay). This is the most common payment method in China and virtually eliminates this risk.
• If paying with cash, try to use smaller denominations, especially with street vendors or taxis.
• Get cash from official bank ATMs, not from individuals or dubious exchange counters.
• Carefully check your change, especially larger notes. Don’t be afraid to reject a note if it looks suspicious.

How it Works:

Individuals dressed as monks or nuns (often not very convincingly) approach tourists, offering trinkets, blessings, or asking for donations for a “temple.” They can be quite persistent or try to guilt-trip you. The items are worthless, and the money doesn’t go to any religious institution.

How to Avoid:

• Real monks and nuns in China rarely solicit donations on the street in this manner.
• Politely ignore them or say “Bú yào” and walk away. Do not engage in conversation.
• If you wish to donate, do so directly at a legitimate temple through official donation boxes.

Common Tactics:

• Overpriced Goods: Especially in tourist markets, initial prices quoted can be wildly inflated.
• Fake Products: Selling counterfeit designer goods, electronics, or “antiques” as genuine.
• Commission Guides: Unsolicited “friendly” guides who offer to show you around and then lead you to specific shops where they get a hefty commission, meaning you pay inflated prices.
• Bait and Switch: Advertising a high-quality item at a good price, then switching it for an inferior one during packaging.

How to Avoid:

• Bargain respectfully but firmly in markets. A general rule of thumb is to start by offering 25-50% of the initial asking price and negotiate from there. Be prepared to walk away – this is often when you’ll get the best offer.
• Be highly skeptical of “too good to be true” deals on high-value items.
• If buying electronics or valuable items, stick to official brand stores or reputable department stores.
• Politely decline offers from unsolicited guides. If you want a guide, hire one through your hotel or a reputable tour agency.
• Carefully inspect goods before paying and ensure you receive the exact item you examined.

How it Works:

Similar to the tea house scam. You might be approached by friendly locals (often attractive women) who invite you to a bar or KTV for drinks and fun. You’ll end up with an astronomical bill, and burly “security” guards may appear if you dispute it.

How to Avoid:

• Decline such invitations from strangers.
• If you go to a bar or KTV, choose well-known, reputable establishments.
• Always ask to see a menu with prices before ordering anything. Clarify any ambiguous charges.
• If with a group, keep track of what’s being ordered.
• Pay for drinks as you order them if possible, rather than running a tab in an unfamiliar place.

How it Works:

Touts on the street may offer cheap massages. Once inside, the initial low price might only cover a very basic service, and you’ll be pressured into much more expensive “upgrades” or “special treatments.” In some cases, these can be fronts for illicit services, and you could be charged exorbitant amounts or even threatened.

How to Avoid:

• Seek massages at reputable spas, often found in hotels or well-reviewed standalone establishments. Ask your hotel for recommendations.
• Clearly confirm the service you want and the total price before the massage begins.
• Be wary of any attempts to upsell you aggressively during or after the service.

How it Works:

Common in crowded tourist attractions, markets, public transport, or busy streets. Distraction techniques are often used – someone may bump into you while an accomplice picks your pocket.

How to Avoid:

• Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowds.
• Keep valuables in front pockets or a money belt under your clothes.
• Use bags that can be zipped up and carried securely in front of you.
• Don’t leave your phone or wallet on café tables.
• Be cautious on crowded buses or subways.