Thailand Joins Singapore, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia in the Wave of Booming Travel Scams – Tourists Beware from These Dangers!

From early 2022 to the end of 2025, government agencies across Asia repeatedly warned travellers about sophisticated scams. While many scams involve old tricks, such as overpriced goods or fake tickets, the scale and ingenuity of recent schemes have grown. Authorities in Thailand, Singapore, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia have issued official advisories and police notices highlighting fraud aimed at travellers and tourists. The following sections synthesise these verified warnings and major events to help travellers recognise and avoid these scams.

Thailand: classic scams and new warnings

Thailand remains one of Asia’s most visited countries, but it is also known for recurrent scams targeting tourists. The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok documented several classic scams:

• Gem scam: drivers or touts tell visitors that the Grand Palace is closed and redirect them to a jewellery store or “government‐sponsored sale”. The embassy notes that the Thai government does not sponsor or operate jewellery shops; shoppers are pressured into buying cheap stones sold as precious gems[1].
• Tuk‑tuk or tour bus scam: tourists hire a tuk‑tuk or bus driver for sightseeing, only to be taken to specific shops where drivers earn commissions; travellers spend more time in jewellery or souvenir shops than at attractions[2].
• Jet‑ski or scooter scam: rental companies demand a passport as collateral, then claim the vehicle was damaged and refuse to return the passport until a hefty payment is made[3].
• “Closed site” scam: scammers tell tourists a temple or palace is closed for a religious holiday, then offer to take them to a different attraction that happens to be a shop[4].

In late2025, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand issued an unusually strong advisory after a viral video showed an unlicensed Chinese guide coercing tourists into shopping. The embassy reminded travellers that foreign nationals cannot legally work as tour guides in Thailand and warned Chinese tourists not to trust “low‑cost tours” or guides offering unrealistic discounts[5]. The notice urged them to book through reputable travel agencies, sign formal contracts and contact Thai tourism police or Chinese consular hotlines if pressured by a guide[5]. This event underscored how unlicensed guides and cheap tours have remained a persistent problem.

Singapore: online travel agency and malware scams

Singapore enjoys a reputation for safety, yet the Singapore Police Force (SPF) documented several significant scams during this period. In July2022, police warned that fake travel agent websites had duped at least 35 victims out of roughly S$34,000. Fraudsters set up look‑alike websites where travellers entered personal and payment details, only to discover later that their bookings were never processed; the SPF urged travellers to verify vendors through the Singapore Tourism Board or the National Association of Travel Agents and use official booking portals[6].

In June2023, another high‑profile case emerged. Police received multiple reports from March to May2023 that an online travel agency had taken money for holiday packages and then become uncontactable. At least 48 victims were cheated out of a combined S$1.7million; investigators identified seven suspects, and one 29‑year‑old man was charged under Singapore’s Computer Misuse Act[7]. The SPF advised consumers to verify travel agents, be wary of prices that seemed too good to be true, avoid advance bank transfers and check that companies are accredited[8].

The malware travel package scam, exposed in October2023, blended phishing with malware. At least 43 victims lost over S$1.2million after responding to social‑media ads for attractive travel packages; they downloaded an Android file sent via WhatsApp and unknowingly installed spyware that captured their banking credentials[9][10]. Police urged the public to install anti‑virus software, avoid downloading apps from unknown sources and immediately contact banks if they suspected an account compromise[10].

China: tea houses, art studios and payment scams

Authorities continue to warn travellers about scams in Chinese cities. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing highlights the “tea house scam”: young people, often claiming to be English students, invite travellers for tea, then slip away as the customer is presented with an exorbitant bill enforced by the establishment[11]. Another variant is the “art student scam”, where someone invites tourists to an art gallery and pressures them to buy overpriced artwork under the guise of supporting a struggling student[12].

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issues similar warnings. It notes that friendly strangers in tourist areas may invite visitors for tea, food or massages and later demand large sums; threats of violence are sometimes used to enforce payment[13]. The FCDO also cautions travellers using rental bicycles to check QR codes carefully, because scammers have placed fake codes that divert payments to fraudulent accounts[13].

Cambodia: fake currency, phone swaps and job scams

Cambodia has seen an alarming rise in scam activity. A 2025 OSAC country security report notes that travellers have had U.S. dollars swapped for counterfeit notes at budget massage parlours, and tuk‑tuk drivers have asked to borrow passengers’ phones for navigation, then returned fake phones and fled[14]. The report also warns that drinks can be drugged in bars to incapacitate victims, enabling theft or assault; counterfeit currency circulates widely, so travellers should examine cash carefully and exchange money at official locations[15].

One of the most disturbing trends is Cambodia’s role as a hub for large‑scale job scam operations. Criminal groups lure foreigners with advertisements for “high‑paying jobs” in Cambodia; once victims arrive, their passports are confiscated, free movement is restricted and they are coerced into working for scam call centres. OSAC notes that these operations often occur in Sihanoukville, the border areas and Kandal province[16]. The FCDO echoes these concerns, advising travellers to be sceptical of job offers that seem too good to be true and warning that some victims have been trafficked and forced to work long hours in poor conditions[17].

Vietnam: job scams and transport tricks

Vietnam has experienced a surge in job scams linked to the wider Mekong region. The FCDO reports that people accept offers of high‑paying jobs, only to be transported illegally to neighbouring countries where their passports are confiscated, living conditions are poor and they are coerced into online scamming activities[18]. Travellers are urged to verify employment offers, confirm visa requirements, and never hand over their passports to employers or landlords[19]. Besides employment scams, Vietnam is seeing transport‑related fraud: drivers claiming to be from ride‑hailing apps approach travellers on the street, and unscrupulous operators offer free bus transfers from airports that turn out to be scams[20][21]. The FCDO advises using official apps like Grab or XanhSM and booking transport in advance[20].

Petty crime remains an issue as well. The FCDO warns that bag‑snatching by thieves on motorcycles is common in cities, and travellers should keep bags away from traffic and never surrender passports to motorbike rental shops[22]. Money‑changing should only be done at authorised counters as unlicensed vendors may use counterfeit notes or pocket the difference[23].

Indonesia: currency tricks and Bali service scams

Indonesia’s tourism hotspots have attracted new forms of scams. The FCDO notes that credit card fraud and ATM skimming are common; criminals attach fake phone numbers to cash machines so that customers call them and unwittingly disclose card details[24]. Unlicensed money changers may short‑change tourists; travellers should use exchanges displaying the Bank of Indonesia logo and verify licences via QR code[24]. Authorities have also reported a rise in scams at tattoo parlours, nail salons and spas in Bali, where operators inflate prices or provide misleading quotes, only revealing hidden fees after the service[25]. To avoid being overcharged, visitors should choose reputable providers and agree on costs in advance[25].

Malaysia: romance and emergency scams

While Malaysia has not seen large‑scale tour frauds like Singapore, the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur warns that travellers and U.S. citizens can fall victim to sophisticated online romance and emergency scams. Con artists establish relationships via social media, pose as U.S. citizens or successful businesspeople, and then claim they are facing a medical or legal emergency in Malaysia. They or their accomplices pose as lawyers or doctors to request money; victims who have never met the person are pressured to transfer funds. The embassy lists warning signs, such as victims only knowing their “friend” online, the alleged person having constant misfortunes or needing a Basic Travel Allowance (a fictitious fee). It emphasises that U.S. embassies do not detain people and there is no “BTA” requirement[26]. Other scam variations include parcel scams, where victims are told to pay for packages held at customs, and inheritance scams, where scammers promise a share of a large inheritance in exchange for a “processing fee”[27]. Travellers are encouraged to be sceptical of online requests for money and contact the embassy to verify identities[26].

Conclusion

From January2022 through December2025, Asian governments and diplomatic missions repeatedly cautioned travellers about scams ranging from old‑fashioned gem and tuk‑tuk hustles to sophisticated online booking fraud and job‑trafficking schemes. These scams share common traits: they exploit travellers’ unfamiliarity with local systems, promise bargains or high rewards and rely on victims’ trust. The rise of online platforms has allowed scammers to reach a wider audience, as seen in the Singapore malware cases and Malaysia’s romance scams. Meanwhile, traditional street scams in Thailand, counterfeit currency and phone‑swap fraud in Cambodia, and service overcharging in Bali continue to ensnare unwary visitors. Travellers can protect themselves by booking with licensed operators, verifying offers, using official payment channels, guarding their passports and sceptically scrutinising deals that seem too good to be true. Government advisories emphasise contacting embassies or local tourism police when in doubt and reporting scams promptly. Staying informed about these evolving tactics can help ensure that travel in Asia remains rewarding rather than ruinous.

Reference List

1. U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand – Common Scams[1][2][3][4].
2. Chinese Embassy in Thailand – Advisory on Low‑Cost Tours (Oct 2025)[5].
3. Singapore Police Force – Fake Travel Agent Websites Advisory (July 2022)[6].
4. Singapore Police Force – Investigation of Online Travel Agency Scams (June 2023)[7].
5. Singapore Police Force – Malware Travel Package Scam (Oct 2023)[9][10].
6. U.S. Embassy Beijing – Tea House and Art Student Scams[11][12].
7. FCDO China – Tea Tasting/Massage Scam & Fake QR Codes[13].
8. OSAC Cambodia Country Report (Feb 2025) – Counterfeit Currency, Phone Swap & Job Scams[14][15][16].
9. FCDO Cambodia – Fake Dollar Change & Job Scam Warning[17].
10. FCDO Vietnam – Job Scams, Passport Retention & Free Transfer Scams[18][19][21][20].
11. FCDO Indonesia – Credit Card Fraud, ATM and Money Changer Scams; Bali Service Scams[24].
12. U.S. Embassy Malaysia – Romance, Emergency, Parcel and Inheritance Scams[26][27].

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