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
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
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.
