We backpackers have a reputation of being an idealist bunch. That’s probably why I love this youthful, optimistic bunch so much. They’ve had plenty of exposure to the darker side of the world, yet everyone still seems to retain an unworldly amount of excitement and hope.
But even the most enthusiastic backpacker doesn’t keep their head among the butterflies and daisies. World nomads also learn to be always alert, always aware of the constant schemes our fellow planet inhabitants attempt. While these exist all over the world, people in Istanbul had a few astonishingly devious ways of parting you with your money. Here are three scams to watch out for – and, if you do find yourself in one of them, how to get out.
A New Friend
Let’s start with the most minor and most inconsequential one first. When you’re wandering around some of the big tourist attractions, you’ll be approached by a friendly man who gives some useful tourist advice on where to go and what to do. After a while, he’ll ask you to do him a favor: give him a chance and visit his carpet shop. If you do go, you’ll find that they do indeed sell very nice carpets that are extremely overpriced. They’ll sit you down for some chai tea, some snacks and a very long sell that’s highly reminiscent of being sold a timeshare. While it isn’t the harshest of scams, it can be very difficult to leave. In some cases, the less scrupulous salesmen will even make you pay for the tea and snacks if you don’t purchase a carpet.
Solution:
Just don’t go with him. Firmly say no when they insist you stop by. (Though I will admit that the man’s tourist advice was rather great.)
Holy crap these things are loaded with caffeine
Shoe Shiners
Street shoe shiners are pretty common in Istanbul, but many of the ones in Sultanhamet District are simply professional scammers – and damn fine actors. They’ll hangout on well traversed streets, pretending to work and keeping watch for any approaching tourists. When they catch sight of their prey, they’ll pack up their supplies in their little wood carrying case. Pay attention to the shoe brush. They always place it firmly on top of the wood box. The person will then start walking in the same direction you’re heading and usually several steps in front of you.
The shoe shiner will then walk a dozen feet before, suddenly, that shoe brush “accidentally” falls onto the ground. He will of course have no idea that he lost his brush and continue walking. You’ll be behind the shoe shiner when this happens. Of course, being the Good Samaritan you are, you’ll pick up the brush and return it to the poor man. The man will feign such gratitude and thanks and offer to give you a free shoe shine. If you decline, he’ll insist and practically beg you.
If you agree, he’ll shine your shoes and make some small talk, repeatedly mentioning what a large family he has and how he struggles to make ends meet. Once he’s done, he’ll retract his free shoe shine offer, saying that he merely offered a discount. Then, he will quote you an exorbitant price of ₺15-20 ($3.85 – $5.13). For the record, a proper shoe shining service should cost half this amount and will be much better in quality.
Solution:
If you end up in this mess, you can:
- Pay him the whole price and leave.
- Pay him a portion of the price. He may or may not follow you and make a scene, yelling at you and hoping to embarrass you.
- Pay him nothing. He’ll definitely make a scene in this case.
The show shiner followed me all the way to the square before giving me
The “Lost” Tourist
I find this scam a bit… much. If you’re a solo male traveler, a distressed man will approach you while you’re hanging around one of the tourist attractions. He’ll be dressed quite casually, look a bit flustered and might be holding a folded map. This man will tell you he’s a fellow tourist that got lost trying to find X mosque. (Odd that he’s asking another tourist for directions.)
This “lost” man is actually a local, just pretending he’s from one of the neighboring countries on vacation. He’ll continue to be friendly when he’s actually sizing your situation. He’s very interested if you’re with friends or if you’re traveling alone. If you are alone, he’ll continue to make some light conversation and eventually offer to accompany you around town and see some sights with you.
After an hour or two, he’ll eventually proposition you to go to a great bar he’s heard of. If you go with him, he’ll take you to a dingy, little, vacant bar. When you go in and sit down, some pretty girls will saddle up to you. You’ll be served a drink and your new friend will most likely vanish. When you try to pay your tab and leave, you’ll be handed a bill that includes the drink, the company of the girls and possibly even the cost of the stool you sat on. This bill can run in the hundreds of dollars, and there’s a couple of burly bouncers present to “encourage” you to pay the full tab.
Solution:
- DON’T GO ANYWHERE WITH THIS GUY IN THE FIRST PLACE!
- Tell the bouncer you don’t have any money and insist they escort you to an ATM. When you get close to the ATM, make sure your running shoes are laced. Book it to a crowded area and find the tourist police. But a warning – I cannot say I condone this course of action because it may very well end up poorly for you.
- Insist that you only have a fraction of the money. This may be enough to placate the bouncers enough for you to leave.
Stay safe!
Until next time.