No matter how secure and popular Dubai may be, it is not without its faults and issues. Scams targeting unsuspecting tourists are a severe issue. And, of course, there are scammers out there for tourists. Every nation has its own set of rules. It is pretty unlikely that you will enjoy your vacation to Dubai if you succumb to these tourist scams. It’s not something you’d want to happen, either. So, here are some of the most common tourist Scams in Dubai you must avoid.
1. Unofficial Taxis
In many sections of Dubai, everything is controlled and organised, but there are still some things that aren’t regulated and organised, including unauthorised taxis. In addition to being unauthorised, these taxis will also charge you more money than regular. The airport is one location where you are more likely to see unlicensed cabs. You may get forced to use one of the illegal cabs.
To prevent this, keep an eye out for taxis with yellow signs and registered numbers on the exterior.
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Also Read: Tourists Can Soon Take Off On Air Taxis From The Palm In Dubai
2. ‘Spilling Drinks Or Liquids On Your Clothes’ scam
Someone comes up and spills something on your clothing while doing your own thing. It’s not like accidents don’t happen. It’s over, and you may go about your day as usual. However, they continue following you and wiping your clothing while apologising again. I know what you’re thinking. Yep. This common tourist scam to rob unsuspecting victims of their cash and other belongings.
To prevent this, be on the lookout for anyone approaching you at all times, no matter where you are. Even if anything spills on your clothing, tell the person who did it to leave you alone and clean up after yourself.
3. Fake Gold
There’s a perception that Dubai is a goldmine. Tourists go to the Gold Souk to purchase a keepsake for themselves or a loved one. There are a few locations where you may buy fake gold even though most businesses selling gold are legitimate.
Make sure you check out the shop’s licence plate before you buy any gold. It’s also a good rule of thumb that if the gold price looks excessively high or low, it’s usually a scam.
Also Read: Now Enjoy 50% Discount On Grocery At Dubai’s Souk Al Marfa
4. Spiked drinks
In Dubai, the most prevalent tourist fraud is the sale of tainted beverages. These scams are specifically curates to target lone female travellers. Being a female traveller necessitates a higher level of caution than a male traveller.
Over the last several years, spiked-drink occurrences have increased in the United States. When the woman’s drink is spiked, they take advantage of the opportunity to exploit her sexually. After taking advantage of you, the individual who spikes your drink may even rob you.
5. Fake WiFi hub scam
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, finding free internet or WiFi is a constant priority for us all. To email family and friends photos from our solo journeys or post a photograph on social media, WiFi has become a need.
Creating a false WiFi hotspot and luring visitors into utilising it is a typical trick perpetrated by hackers. Your data get stole as soon as you connect your device to a WiFi network. There is a good chance that you will not be aware of how or when the hacker gained access to all of your data, and then it will be gone!
To prevent this, avoid using public WiFi and data networks that aren’t password-protected. When using the hotel WiFi, use a VPN you have downloaded on your phone. Dubai is safe for travellers. Tourist scams are unlikely to target you. Stay aware and monitor your daily activities to avoid fraud.
Also Read: Dubai Records 203% Jump In Tourist Arrivals In Just 4 Months