Common travel scams in Colombia

I'm sure you've heard the stories: people getting robbed and scammed in all kinds of creative and fun-to-describe ways all over South America.

Is it true? Yes. They're all true (well, almost anyway. I heard one once that involved a girl, a few chickens and some obscure bar in La Paz that I'm not sure I want to believe, but that's a long story, for another article...) But there's also good news: luckily they're easy to avoid.

So if after reading this article you still get sucked in by one of them basic scams, feel bad, because I warned you. (Then again, don't feel too bad, lots of people get very relaxed when traveling and let their guard down)

I'm not gonna go in to great a detail here, travelers like danger stories a bit too much in my opinion, and I don't want to exagerate anything.

Also: this site is about Colombia but the info here is good for entire South America and basically for all traveling throughout the world...

So go and learn all about them travel scammers, and enjoy! Here we go golks: the meat and potatoes!

1. Common travel scams.

The fake policeman scam.

Sound like something from Monthy Python, no? The Fake Policeman scam goes like this:

Someone approaches you, says he's a traveler from another country, say, Argentina. This should light your first little alarmbell, but don't be paranoid yet. Then, a common clothes policeman approaches you. MAYOR SCAM ALERT! He shows some convincing ID and asks to see the passport and money of the other traveler, who hands it over without hesitation. He gives it back and asks you to do the same. Don't give your passport or money! It's a scam.

There's countless variations on this. Anytime a common clothes policeman is involved: think SCAM! Look for a real policeman or military. Call them. Walk away and tell them to get lost if you don't see a real policeman. Be rude to them. Under no circumstances get into a car with them.

The found money scam.

Another classic. A bundle of money is lying on the street, you or someone else pick it up. SCAM ALERT! Again from this simple start there are many variations. They will propose you to share it in a little back street or in a pub (you're not that dumb are you?). The "owner" will show up and will say: this bundle is not my money, mine was marked. He will tell the other guy: show me your money so I can be sure you don't have my marked money, and he'll do it. He might show a gun. (at this point, you're in way to far already!) Then he'll ask you.

Basically, you want to avoid being in a scam situation. Once you're in it, they'll have dozens of ways to separate you from your money. Be rude and walk away.

If you see a bundle of money on the street: walk away, or, if you see a policeman closeby, call him and let him deal with it. (fuck those scammers up a bit)

Other scams.

There are countless scams going on, but these are the two most common ones in any country over the world. You get the idea here, if you feel a scams going on, walk away. You probably won't be sure yet, coz if you're sure it's a scam it's usually too late. This is the only time where you shouldn't be afraid to be rude. They count on people's politeness.

Walk away!

I can feel it now, you're all ready for ...

2. General travel safety.

Guard your plane ticket, passport and money! (in that order)

If you fly in and out of for example Bogota, leave your planeticket in a safe in a Bogota hotel. If your hotel has no safe, you can rent one at an expensive hotel. (Better, just change hotels, the good (cheap) ones all have safes in Bogota)

Do not go out at night with your passport!

Leave it at the hotel (in a safe if they have one)! The same goes for your credit card. In the evenings, take only the money you'll spent and enough for a taxi home. Take that taxi! I know you're not used to taking taxi's, but it's cheap here! Safe streets during the day may become dangerous in the evenings.

Keep your eyes open when walking in a city.

Parks are often not safe at night. Empty streets are to be avoided! Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, take a taxi out of there, enter a shop, stop a policeman, or just turn around an look. (Don't walk around with a feeling of being watched! Turn around and look.) Don't encourage suspicious people by speaking to them (see also above: travel scams).

Especially keep your eyes open on bus terminals and while traveling from one place to another. This is your most vulnerable moment!

That's about it.

If this is your first time travelling, it may seem weird, but these simple rules will soon become second nature and you'll feel perfectly comfortable. (That's when you should remember them! Many people get robbed because they feel too safe and do stupid things.)

By Peter (Moderator) on Jan 11, 1999, 11:00 in Friendly Talkzone.

Peter (Moderator) says on Nov 11, 2003, 11:01:

Do NOT carry your passport By Dan 2002-11-20
I am a Criminal Investigator and I have been to Colombia 6 times and have worked with the police there. Never carry your passport. Keep it in the safe and carry a copy. If the authorities want to see it you can take them to your hotel. Twice I was approached by fake police in Bogota on 15th Ave. They first ask you for the time and listen to your response. Once you speak English they whip out their "Tourist Police" credentials. Yell to a real policeman if you see one. The fakes will scatter quickly at this moment.

Poor but snappy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

platypus says on Jan 18, 2005, 13:17:

Providencia island.... Does anybody know a nice & economical place where to stay in Providencia. Any information is highly appreciated.

German

0 funny, 0 helpful.

abkeepcool says on Mar 7, 2005, 13:01:

Arriving in Cartagena Does anyone can suggest where to stay ?
We plan a trip in march 2005
is it worth to travel to Santa Marta ?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jmbone says on Mar 9, 2005, 16:50:

cartagena lodging-from economy to 5 stars

Check out:

http://www.cartagenacolombiahotels.com/

the site has a couple dozen hotel home pages
fast loading with fotos and prices...

Yes, depending on what your looking for, Santa Marta is a nice area.
enjoy.
regards,
jmbone

0 funny, 0 helpful.

loco_pc says on Jul 19, 2005, 15:19:

Blend with the crowd Hello to all

Here's my two cents worth about having a safe holiday

I have travelled extensively to Europe as well as South America
, been in place such as Amsterdam, Marseilles, Naples, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires etc etc non of which were as bad as New York!

Most big cities have its share of scammers and violence abound
, try blending whith the locals! meaning 'keep a low profile' (don't dress like a tourist) a little street smart goes a long way!

I read that in Colombia for example is pretty safe (and inexpensive) to take a cab, this is not so in Buenos Aires where 'fake' taxies
(taxis truchos) can be found everywhere

Remember (anything)that seems too great of a deal is probably not
- Those (that in their greediness) try to get something for near nothing can testify to that.

Be on guard but don't get too paranoid otherwise why bother even thinking about taking a vacation to a 'risky' place

My travelling experiences were all satisfactory to say the least
surely, not many locals will bother a man carrying a backpack
- Whenever I found myself in a doubtful place my strategy was
to bum a cigarette from a local haha

Travelling to Cartagena is on my priority list, the plan is to
allow myself at least 4 weeks so I can visit to Medellin, Santanders and Cali, I will continue by train towards Lima, Peru, Bolivia and Chile travelling along the pacific ocean to enter Argentina from the south on my way to Buenos Aires

Fear is not on my diccionary, I will continue to travel regardless of what CNN says about dangerous areas. - Blending with the locals beats by far any 'all inclusive vacation' package!

Signing off now, always remember:

Do not follow the common path. Go where there is no path and leave a trail.

Signing off now, always remember: Do not follow the common path. Go where there is no path and leave a trail.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Wolfyjack says on Jul 27, 2005, 21:55:

Iquitos to Manuas river travel Just wondering if anyone has done the river travel from Iquitos to Manaus and what recommendations they have. .My girlfriend a nd I are travelling that way around mid through to late Decmeber 2005. We want to do a mix of independent travel, and comfortable stuff, with as much paddling/kayaking as possible.
We are planniing on flying to Iquitos from Cuzco (no tickets booked as yet, thought it might better to be flexible and book in Cuzco). Then get on the "Rio Amazanos" boat to Leticia.
Can any one advise on good reliable boat from Letecia to Manaus. We are also thinking of doing a multi-day paddle trip/ bush walk from Leticia and if by then we are running out of time probably fly to Manaus.
Are the short paddling type tours better from Leticia in regards to the "purity" of jungle than from Manaus?
Also has anyone ever been to see the paraboca (think that's the word) or standing wave at the mouth of the Amazon, is it worth the experience? Can you surf it??

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Linospadix says on May 23, 2006, 14:04:

Accomodation, Candelaria If you're looking for accomodation in Candelaria, be careful! I lived with a Colombian couple (Carlos David & Lourdes) for 4 months and the week I was to move out they walked into my room and stole $300US, my digital camera, and clothes they could never afford to buy! I spoke to the police and some locals about it and they told me that this couple do it all the time! So if you move in with Colombians, be careful because this is a common scam - the Colombians know when you are leaving, you really have to go because of visa, tickets, etc, and there's basically nothing you can do!

0 funny, 0 helpful.