10 Common Tourist Scams to Avoid in Sweden

An amazing holiday destination, Sweden boasts lush green forests, picturesque lakes, breathtaking countryside views and pop music.According to recent reports, approximately 3 million tourists travel to Sweden every year. 

Unfortunately, tourist scams in Sweden are quite a common scenario, like in other countries. So, it is best to remain alert when travelling to this country to avoid falling prey to such fraud.

A trip to Europe is incomplete without visiting Sweden. Here is a list of tourist scams in Sweden that you must be aware of when visiting this country:

1. Picture Scam

Picture scam is perhaps the most common scam prevalent in most countries. Here, a local approaches you and asks you to take their picture. As you agree, this person hands you a camera. 

Upon returning the camera, they purposely drop it, blame you for breaking it and demand to pay for the 'damage'. 

Common Around: Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo.

2. Taxis Overcharging

Taxi scams include outrageous hidden fareswherecab drivers approach unsuspecting tourists and pick them up. After travelling a certain distance, they address that the meter is broken or the route forward is closed. 

Purposefully, they take a long route to claim high taxi fares from you.

Common Around: Mainly near the airport and popular tourist areas of Sweden.

3. Pickpocketing

Thieves lurk on the transit services from airports to the city and offer to help you with suggestions on hotels and cafes to distract you. Some scammers will approach you, offering to help you with your luggage. 

Pickpockets always work in groups where one person attempts the theft while the others lift your valuables.

Common Around: Stations in Stockholm and Gothenburg and Ostra Nordstan shopping centre in Gothenburg and Stockholm's Old Town.

4. Fraudulent Calls

One of the most common scams in Sweden is the fraudulent call. You will receive a call from a person claiming he is from the Embassy, saying he is sending some link for the verification process or money transfers. 

As you click on the link, the trickster hacks your bank account and drains money out of it.

Common Around: Stockholm

5. Restaurant Scam

The country's most cosy restaurants and bars attract several tourists to that place. As you visit such a restaurant, you order from the menu. However, after having the food, you ask for the bill and find you are overcharged. 

Well, you missed notice that prices for all food items on the menu are not mentioned, and you are scammed.

Common Around: Gamla Stan, Nobel Museum and Stortorget in Stockholm.

6. Friendly ATM Help Scam

A person offers to help you at an ATM as he finds you having an issue with your ATM card. As you fall prey to such advances, they will scan your credit or debit card with a card skimmer and note your PIN. 

After that, they can empty your account moments after you leave the counter.

Common Around: Throughout Sweden.

7. Bar Friends Scam

source: thehoneycombers

When visiting a bar or a restaurant in Sweden, be aware of unknown locals who will try to be 'friendly' with you and offer to drink together. They are already in collaboration with these bars. 

So, after a couple of drinks, you will end up paying more than usual. If you fail to pay the money, bar bodyguards will escort you to an ATM to withdraw cash to pay the bill. 

Common Around: Gamla Stan in Stockholm.

8. Guessing Game Scam

You will find a group of people around a person showing street games or magic. One of the group members guesses the correct answer to a tricky question, and this person awards him. 

As you fall prey to such shows, you get distracted, andthe group members (who were part of the scam) quickly pickpocket your valuables.

Common Around: The alleys of the cities of Sweden

9. Staged Distractions

One of the most common staged distractions is the "spill" or the "bird poo" scam in Sweden. In this fraudery, you suddenly feel something spilling on your clothes. Then, you will find a stranger approaching you for help, holding tissues and apologising. 

As you are busy cleaning yourself up and are distracted, this trickster swipes valuables from your bag.

Common Around: Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo.

10. Overpriced Gift Shops

source: tepcdn

You will find several antique shops in and around Sweden that claim to sell lovely handmade items. They charge high prices for the so-called antique products. As you buy it, you realise much later that these are just local products made out of machines and are of poor quality. 

Common Around: Gamla Stan in Sweden.

Before making your travel plans, avail yourself of travel insurance to Sweden before you begin your journey. This will ensure the safety of your finances if there is an unexpected event arising.

• Refuse to take pictures of people, especially from locals, approaching you and trying to be friendly.
• Try to keep your guard up, especially when you are in a public place, and don't let anyone get too close to you. 
• If you lose your passport, contact the Indian Embassy in Sweden to get it replaced. 
• Never let the taxi driver take you to an ATM, claiming he only receives cash.
• The Embassy of India never asks for money transfers. Therefore, do not make any money transfers to fraudulent callers seeking money.
• Ensure to avoid restaurants that don’t have prices on all the items on the menu.
• Always opt for overseas trip insurance with financial emergency cash that rescues you in emergencies.
• Avoid suggestions of a bar from a 'friendly' local. Research about the place before visiting it.
• Avoid crowded places where you find people indulging in game shows. When in crowded places or public areas, sling your bag on the front of your body to avoid pickpocketing.
• Always purchase artefacts from licenced dealers who have excellent reputations in dealing with such products.

If you face any difficulties or challenging situations when in Sweden, you can contact the police by dialling 112.

Below are some more important contacts which you must keep handy in case of any emergencies:

• Call this number if you need police assistance, but there is no immediate danger - 114 14. (If calling from abroad or from foreign cell phones in Sweden, call +46 77 33 113 13.)

• Call this number if you face any accidents or crises – 113 13. (If calling from abroad or from foreign cell phones in Sweden, call +46 77 114 14 00.)

• For Healthcare Advice – 1177. (If calling from abroad or from foreign cell phones in Sweden, call +46 771 1177 00.)

• For Medical Emergencies – 112

• Fire Department – 112

• Embassy of India, Sweden & Latvia - 868432100

These are some common tourist scams in Sweden. However, the government have taken several steps to curtail such scams in and around the location. It is for us to be very attentive to our valuables when touring Sweden or any other foreign land. In case there is any unforeseen situation, or you require emergency assistance, you can always contact the local Embassy.