Common Scams in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia) and How to Stay Safe

Southeast Asia is the most rewarding and the most scammed region most Americans will ever visit. The good news: 95% of the scams are old, well-known, and easy to dodge with a few minutes of reading. This guide covers the ones that actually catch travelers in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia in 2026.

Thailand: tuk-tuks, gems, and the "closed today" scam

Bangkok is the global capital of friendly-sounding tourist traps. The big ones:

• The "today is Buddhist holiday, all temples closed" scam — a friendly local near the Grand Palace tells you the palace is closed for a Buddhist holiday. They'll offer a "special" tuk-tuk tour for 20 baht (about $0.55). The palace is not closed. The tuk-tuk will take you to a gem shop or tailor where they get a commission. Just walk past and go directly to the palace.
• Tuk-tuk flat-rate scams — if a driver quotes a flat 100 baht for a trip that should cost 200 via metered taxi, the trip is going to include "free" stops at gem shops, tailors, or "special" shows. Take the meter taxi or Grab instead.
• The gem scam (still alive) — you're told you can buy gems at wholesale and resell at home for 10x. The gems are glass. This scam has been around for 40 years; it still nets millions.
• Jet ski rental damage claims — you rent a jet ski, return it, the operator claims "you damaged it," demands 20,000 baht. Insist on a damage inspection video before and after. Better yet, rent through your hotel.

The meta-rule for Thailand: if a stranger approaches you on the street with a "deal," it's a scam. Period. Bangkok's scams only work on people who didn't know they were scams.

Vietnam: taxi meters and motorbike rentals

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have cleaned up a lot over the past decade, but:

• Unmarked taxi meters — the famous "running meter" scam where the driver has rigged the meter to run fast. Use Grab (the dominant rideshare app in Vietnam) or Vinasun / Mailinh branded taxis. If a taxi doesn't have a meter, wave it off.
• Motorbike rental damage and fake police — you rent a motorbike, the next day a "police officer" stops you and demands a fine for "traffic violations" plus rental damage. The police officer is the rental shop owner's friend. Always: photograph the bike from every angle at pickup, and check your passport isn't being held as collateral (legal rental doesn't require this).
• The cyclo (bicycle taxi) detours — in Hoi An and Hanoi, the driver takes the "scenic route" and stops at shops for a forced commission. Negotiate the route explicitly before getting on.
• "Free" walking tours that aren't free — the tour guide will lead you through shops that pay them. Tipping is expected; the "free" framing is misleading.

Vietnam is genuinely safe for tourists. The scams are commercial, not violent. Stick to Grab, photograph any rentals, and ignore street-side "deals."

Indonesia (mostly Bali): money-changers, taxi counters, and the broken scooter

Bali is wonderful. Bali's tourist scams are concentrated in Kuta and the airport:

• The money-changer count trick — the big money-changers on the main streets of Kuta have staff who count the bills slowly and palm some. The two dominant scams: (1) they switch to a smaller stack when you're not looking, (2) the bills are real but in a different currency worth much less. The fix: use bank-affiliated money-changers (BCA, Mandiri) or just use an ATM. The official rate is good enough.
• Airport taxi counter inflation — the official taxi counter at Ngurah Rai will quote you 200,000 IDR for a ride that Grab does for 50,000. Use Grab (it works at the airport) or arrange a hotel pickup.
• The "broken scooter" scam — you rent a scooter, return it, the operator claims you broke it and demands repair money. The fix: photograph everything, including pre-existing damage, before riding off. Better: don't rent scooters unless you have an international driving permit. Bali police do check, and your travel insurance won't cover you without one.
• The "you must make an offering" scam — usually at a temple or sacred site, a "guide" demands 100,000 IDR for a blessing. Legitimate temple offerings are 10,000-20,000 and you go to the shrine, not a stranger.

Bali outside the Kuta/Seminyak tourist strip is essentially scam-free. Ubud, Canggu, the east coast, the Gilis — all straightforward. The scams are concentrated in the airport-to-Kuta corridor.

General principles for the whole region

The scams in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia share a pattern:

1. The friendly local with a deal — strangers offering "special" tours, "closed" attractions, or "cheap" gems/tickets. Always decline and verify independently.
2. The taxi/tuk-tuk without a meter — Grab, Gojek, and metered taxis are your friends. Negotiated fares for tourists are always inflated.
3. The rental damage claim — always photograph equipment before and after use.
4. The "official" who isn't — fake police, fake officials, fake tour guides. Real ones have ID. Take photos, ask for credentials, and walk away if pressured.

The Southeast Asia scams are commercial, not violent. No one is going to hurt you for refusing a gem deal. Just smile, say "no thank you," and move on.

What to do if you get scammed

1. Don't escalate — it's not worth the time or stress. Most scams are under $50.
2. Report to the tourist police — Thailand has a dedicated tourist police (1155) that handles English-language reports. Vietnam and Indonesia have similar services.
3. Document everything — receipts, photos, names, the scammer's appearance. Insurance claims and police reports need this.
4. Walk away from any "deal" on the street — if a stranger on the street is offering something, the answer is no.

Southeast Asia is a fantastic place to travel. Don't let the scam awareness ruin the experience — just keep your wallet in your front pocket, your passport in the hotel safe, and your phone's maps offline. You'll have a great time.

See also

Country safety briefs:

• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Indonesia
• Cambodia
• Philippines

More from the blog:

• Thailand safety