17 Common Tourist Scams in Turkey & How to Avoid Them

Some of the best places to visit in Turkey are its pristine beaches, cultural sites, shopping hotspots and cruise destinations. The key tourist attractions in this place cater to individuals with varied interests, especially those seeking adventure. 

According to recent reports, nearly 44.6 million tourists travel to Turkey every year. Although most Turks are unbelievably honest, you will always find a few people with different intentions. 

Instead of getting scared, it is best to be cautious to avoid falling for tourist scams in Turkey.

1. Shoe Shine Scam

One of the most common tourist scams in Istanbul, the shoe shine scam, is where a shoe polisher walking past you suddenly drops his brushes or box. As you help him pick the items up, he offers a free shoeshine. 

You agree, and he polishes your shoes and chats innocently, distracting your thoughts. Finally, he provides you with an overpriced bill.

Common Around: Istanbul, Antalya and Cappadocia.

2. Fake Artefacts and Coins Scam

This popular tourist scam in Istanbul and other locations of Turkey is mostly found in historical and archaeological sites. Fraudsters will show you antique artefacts and coins, claiming them to be from the Byzantine era. They will insist you purchase these at a discounted rate. 

Common Around: Istanbul, Antalya, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and Cappadocia Underground Cities.

3. Turkish Carpets and Rug Scams

Turkish rugs and carpets are one of the common scams in Istanbul. Handmade Turkish carpets are a national symbol and popular souvenir, as tourists travelling here are eager to buy them. 

However, scammers flood the market with fake and machine-made products claiming them to be originals and charging a lump sum. 

Common Around: Grand Bazaar, Arasta Bazaar, and Sultanahmet are popular markets where these scams are common.

4. The Drink Scam

Probably one of the common tourist scams in Istanbul and surrounding areas, this scam is also very dangerous. A stranger approaches you suddenly and tries to be friendly with you. Then, they will invite you for a drink in a bar. 

As you fall prey to this trap and end up drinking, they will serve you a bill of thousands of dollars.

Common Around: Bars, restaurants and eateries in and around Turkey.

5. Taxi Scam

Taxi scam is the biggest tourist scam in Istanbul, Turkey and many other places in the world. Taxi drivers pick up tourists from hotels or airports and claim huge amounts in bills. Often, if you produce cash, they deny having a change or neglect using a metre. 

Common Around: Istanbul, Antalya, Dalaman and Konya.

6. Pickpocketing

This tourist scam in Turkey targets unsuspecting tourists in crowded streets and public transport. As you walk through a crowded area, you might suddenly get hit by another stranger who will pass by apologising. By then, this pickpocket has grabbed your valuables or cut your bags.

Common Around: Sultanahmet, Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, Taksim Square and the Grand Bazaar.

7. Currency Exchange Scam

One of the common tourist traps in Istanbul and other places in Turkey is the currency scam. As you visit the local shops in Turkey, a shopkeeper will invite you to have a look at his shop. 

They will let you buy a product at a reasonable price. However, in reality, you will find them charging in Euros instead of Liras through the card machine.

Common Around: Most of the markets and local shops in Turkey.

8. Solo Traveller Scam

One of the popular tourist scams, Turkey also witnesses this dangerous fraudery mainly targeting solo travellers. A solo man or a woman is suddenly approached by a local who tries to be friendly. Then this person pretends to be in love with you, eventually scamming you. 

These scams also extend to internet crime and fraud, where the scammer gets hold of your bank accounts and other personal details.

Common Around: Throughout Turkey.

9. Property/Hotel Scam

Many tourists travelling to Turkey are victims of such tourist scams in Turkey. These fraudsters fake hotel booking confirmations and track emails and hotel deals to scam customers. 

They will ask you to pay in cash as you arrive at that place. As you rely on them and pay in cash, the next moment, they are unreachable.

Common Around: Istanbul, Antalya and Cappadocia.

10. Fake Policeman Scam

One of the popular Istanbul tourist scams is the fake policeman scam. You might experience a 'policeman' suddenly approaching you and asking for your wallet and passport. This is probably a scam where they will alter your passport or snatch money from you.

Common Around: Mainly the lonely alleys of the cities in Turkey.

11. Streetside Sellers Scam

One of the popular Istanbul street scams is when you are approached by people selling things in the tourist areas of Istanbul. These are random sellers in the street who do not have a proper stall and are likely to be selling roses and perfumes. 

As soon as you purchase products, you will find them defective, and the sellers won't take them back.

Common Around: Tourist places in and around Istanbul.

12. Ticket Seller Scam

Avoid purchasing tickets for museums, tours, transport or popular tourist attractions from random people in the street. They might claim to sell the ticket at a discounted price. However, they are overcharging you or selling you a worthless ticket.

Common Around: Mostly in Istanbul and in museums and tourist attractions in Turkey.

13. Falling Simit Man Scam

Simit is a popular bread in Turkey, and you will find many people selling the same on the streets. In this scam, a person carrying a large plate of simit suddenly falls and pretends to be injured. As soon as you approach him to offer help, he will ask for money.

Common Around: Istanbul, Antalya, Dalaman and Konya

14. Photography Scam

In Turkey, you might suddenly find a stranger/local asking you to take your photograph. They will hand their camera to you. You click their picture and return it. Then, they will purposefully drop it and blame you for breaking their equipment, demanding you pay them. 

Common Around: Istanbul and Antalya

15. Friendly ATM Helper Scam

One of the popular tourist scams in Turkey is the friendly ATM help scam. A person approaches you and tries to help you when they find you have an issue with the debit card. 

However, their true intention is to note your credit or debit card details through a card skimmer, watch you enter your PIN details and empty your account later.

Common Around: Antalya, Istanbul and small ATM stores in Turkey.

16. Guessing Game Scam

As you walk down the streets of Turkey, you will find a person showing magic/games and a group of people surrounding him. One of the members guesses the magic or the correct answer, and he hands him a prize. 

If you fall prey to such a situation, they will pick your pocket as you focus on the game.

Common Around: Antalya, Istanbul and Cappadocia

17. Distraction Scam

As you walk down the popular tourist spots and lonely alleys of the cities in Turkey, someone throws a white paste on your shoulder. You believe it is bird waste. Suddenly, a ‘friendly’ local offer to help you clean the waste. While they help you, they also pickpocket you.

Common Around: Antalya and Istanbul

It is essential to avail yourself of travel insurance to Turkey before you begin your journey. This will ensure your safety and also your finances if there is an unexpected occasion arising in a foreign country.

• In case you lose your passport, get it replaced by the Indian embassy in Turkey.
• Remember, old artefacts belong to the Republic of Turkey and will never be sold streetside. So, avoid such scammers politely.
• Always avoid free shoe polishes and shines or someone approaching you and trying to be friendly.
• Never take advice or suggestions from strangers about establishments/eateries worth trying out. You can find the best bars, cafés, and nightclubs on popular websites.
• For a genuine Turkish carpet or a rug, it is ideal for searching the internet to find experienced and licenced dealers who have excellent reputations in dealing with such products.
• Opt for licenced taxis or pre-paid taxi services. Moreover, research the route, the standard fares and your destination before opting for a taxi service.
• Keep your wallet in the front pockets, wear your handbags close to you and within eyesight and carry backpacks on the front of your body.
• Before paying for a product through your credit card, ensure the card machine is charging in Liras. To prevent confusion and scam, try to pay in cash.
• Keep your debit/credit card in a secure place to avoid pickpocketing. Choose travel insurance with financial emergency cash cover that rescues you in emergencies.
• Kindly refuse to take anyone's picture when anyone approaches you randomly with their mobile or camera.

If you face any life-threatening or challenging situations when in Turkey, you can always contact the Turkey tourist police by dialling 0212 527 45 03.

Here are some more necessary contacts which are useful to have in case of any emergencies:

• Police – 155

• In case of medical treatment and ambulance assistance – 112

• Loss of Children or Women – 183

• Traffic – 154

• Other Emergency Number – 112

• Embassy of India, Ankara, Turkey - 00-90-312-4382195-98

These are some common tourist scams in Turkey that are also common in other foreign countries. However, Turkish authorities have tightened up the rules and regulations and enhanced communication for tourists. This has allowed tourists to contact emergency numbers as and when required.