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France, located in Western Europe, serves as a famous tourist spot for its alpine villages, city life with mediaeval culture, and stunning coastlines of the French Riviera. Apart from Paris, the centre of attraction, millions of tourists visit this country to experience the spectacular harbour lanes of Normandy and the snow-covered Alps.Â
Like other countries, tourist scams in France can be a common scenario, and one must be aware of the possible hassles they may encounter. So, plan accordingly to safeguard yourself from such unsettling situations.
Some of the top scams in France are mentioned below:
The gold or silver ring scam is considered an oldie and is the most popular tourist scam in Paris. In this scenario, scammers of different ages approach tourists with shiny rings and ask whether it belongs to them.Â
Upon the denial, they establish that the rings hold great value and try to sell them to the bystanders.Â
Common Around: Paris, including Jardins des Tuileries, Seine, Madeleine, and near major metro stations.Â
This is a trick often performed by a group of scammers who approach foreign tourists in a mostly crowded area. Here, they will approach in a friendly manner and will start tying knots with different colourful strings to your wrist.Â
By diverting your attention with this stunt, a person from the scammer group can sneak away your wallets or other valuable belongings.Â
Common Around: Sacre-Coeur, Paris
Tourists visiting Marseille often report fraud, where scammers insert fake slot areas that will malfunction the card and get stuck. During this scenario, the tourist will leave the machine and will seek help outside the ATM booth.Â
Scammers will take advantage of your absence and will take away the card.Â
Common Around: Across the country.Â
This fraud is one of the top scams in Paris, France, which made a number of tourists fall into the trap of scammers. Scammers, mostly a group of women or teenagers, will approach foreign tourists for a signature on a petition.Â
This is mostly for a noble cause like an initiative for women's education, reducing child labour, etc. Once the tourists sign the petition, scammers will demand money as donations for the cause.Â
Common Around: Notre Dame, Louvre/Tuileries Gardens, ParisÂ
Magic tricks and gambling are common tourist scams in France, where scammers in groups will approach you in a crowded place, asking you to take part in some common games. They will ask you to guess any coin, card, or colour, and upon losing your chances of guessing, scammers will demand money from you aggressively.Â
Common Around: Across the country.
This fraud is generally prevalent in Paris, where foreign tourists are charged high prices for food or drinks. Different roadside cafes take advantage of their innocence and charge extra money other than what is written on the menu.Â
To avoid this scam, checking the menu before ordering or paying for your drinks or food is important.Â
Common Around: Paris
Being one of the popular tourist scams in Paris, scammers performing this fraud often target young people or couples near any restaurant. These tourists are often approached by scammers with a rose as a gift. If you accept this, you will be asked to pay for that rose.Â
To avoid this kind of scammers, change your path or look away from any strangers who you find approaching you, holding a rose.Â
Common Around: Cafes and tourist spots near ParisÂ
Pickpocketing is the most popular fraud that tourists encounter, generally in crowded places like tourist spots, crowded trains, or in the metro. In such a scenario, more than one scammer can be involved in this act.Â
Tourists are often looted by distracting them in a crowded space. For this reason, keeping a close eye on your valuable belongings while travelling to a crowded place is important.Â
Common Around: Across the country
This is one of the oldest scams in France, where a scammer will offer to show magic tricks by wrapping strings around his or her finger. While you will be distracted and your hands engaged in the game, another person from the scammer's group will pickpocket your valuable belongings.Â
Common Around: Across the countryÂ
As you can see, tourist scams in Maldives can be dangerous and harmful, especially during your visit. You must purchase a policy for Travel Insurance to the Maldives to ensure safety and financial assistance in times of need. Apart from that, here are a few other tips for you to avoid scams when travelling across the Maldives:
When in an emergency, the ideal way is to seek assistance from the police of France. Tourists from India can reach out to the Indian Embassy in France regarding any kind of hassles. In addition, while, one must keep the emergency helpline numbers of the French authorities while travelling for any emergencies:
Embassy of India, France: +33-648340063
Police: 17
Fire Service: 18
Medical Service or Ambulance: 15
The above is a profound guide related to all the information about tourist scams in France. Tourists visiting this country must be aware of these frauds and scams and know the ways to combat the same. Moreover, following scam avoidance tips can also help one to stay clear of any traps.
Different parts of France experience millions of tourists across the world, which also includes solo travellers. Paris and other parts of France are moderately considered to be safe for solo female travellers.
Obtaining reliable travel insurance before visiting the country is recommended, as this offers coverage for a myriad of emergencies. Apart from safeguarding you from monetary crunch, this insurance helps to handle any legal issues in foreign countries.
Some of the top tourist spots to visit in France are Parc Phoenix, Luxembourg Palace, Disneyland, Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, etc.
The most popular scams in Paris are the Gold Ring Scam, the Petition Scam, the Leaflet Approach, the Free Bracelet or Rose Scam, and pickpocketing.
If your ATM card is stuck while withdrawing money, do not leave the machine or ask for help from any strangers. Instead, call the bank authorities from the spot or get help from the police.