malaysia tourist scams

Visiting Kuala Lumpur

Neighborhoods to Know

Best Hotels

Public Transportation Guide

Top Things to Do

Guide to Malaysian Street Food

Where to Eat in Kuala Lumpur

Eating at Kuala Lumpur's Jalan Alor

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Kuala Lumpur International Airport Guide

Top Destinations in Malaysia

Things to Do in Malaysia

Common Greetings

Currency in Malaysia

Scams to Avoid

10 Scams to Avoid in Kuala Lumpur

Photo by Sayid Budhi / Getty Images

Like any big capital city in Asia, there are a few scams in Kuala Lumpur that catch travelers year after year. New arrivals are the most susceptible.

Most scams are little more than harmless nuisances meant to relieve you of that colorful Malaysian ringgit you’re carrying. Don't let that happen before you get a chance to enjoy the many fun things to do in Kuala Lumpur!

A couple of the more nefarious scams in Kuala Lumpur could compromise your identity. Having your ATM card deactivated for fraud will be a major inconvenience while traveling. Fortunately, a little vigilance can really reduce your chances of having to deal with the hassle.

What to Do if You Become a Victim

Learn from the experience, then warn others. Any money lost is probably unrecoverable, but you can report the activity to the tourist police by calling 03 2149 6590 (local) or +60 3 2149 6590 (international).

If you or someone is in physical danger, dial “999”—the emergency services number in Malaysia.

Remember: Scams happen all over the world, and tourists are most often the target. Don’t allow a bad experience to ruin your  enjoyment of Malaysia !

Taxi Drivers Drive the Long Way

All official taxis in Kuala Lumpur have a sign on the door that reads “This is a metered taxi. Haggling is prohibited.” But perhaps the sign should be posted where the driver can see it better! The first thing most do is quote a fixed fare that is inevitably higher than what the meter would give.

As with elsewhere in Southeast Asia, you should refuse the price and demand that a driver use the meter . Although tourists are trying to do the right thing, Kuala Lumpur has become the get-driven-the-long-way-around capital of Asia. It happens a lot when changing neighborhoods in KL . Not only is your trip time wasted in traffic, the metered fare often ends up higher than the quoted price once you’ve been driven in enough circles!

Never underestimate the audacity of a taxi driver in Kuala Lumpur. If they see that you’re following the journey on Google Maps, they’ll keep you chatting and distracted. Some will ask to see photos of your family so that you'll have to dig around on your smartphone rather than follow the map.

All roads (and rails) lead to KL Sentral near Little India in Kuala Lumpur. If you’re staying in Chinatown or Bukit Bintang, you can reach both via the excellent KL monorail for $1 or less. The train system in Kuala Lumpur is extensive—take advantage! Unless you're moving around after midnight when most trains stop running, you really can get everywhere by a combination of rail and walking.

Another option for avoiding taxi scams is to install Malaysia’s rideshare app, Grab . Unlike Uber, you can pay the driver directly with cash. Be aware that some Grab drivers will also ask for additional money on top of whatever the app quoted you.

Directing You to the Wrong Type of Taxi

Size matters when taxis in Kuala Lumpur are concerned. “Budget” taxis, the ubiquitous red sedans seen driving around Kuala Lumpur, are the default. But if a minivan, SUV crossover, or larger vehicle answers your call, it’s probably an “executive” or “family” taxi. Executive taxis demand nearly double the usual meter rate for budget taxis. You'll have a lot of room to yourself, but you'll pay a lot more for distance covered.

Not asking about the taxi class is a mistake many tourists make when arriving in KLIA, KLIA2 , or at KL Sentral railway station. Unless you specify at the counter or taxi kiosk that a “standard” or “budget” taxi will suffice, you may be sold a coupon for the more expensive “executive” taxi, also known as a “premier” taxi.

Overcharging Tourists in Local Eateries

Nasi kandar / nasi campur restaurants are on every corner in Kuala Lumpur—take advantage! These fun, sometimes-frenetic eateries are the best way to sample delicious local favorites for cheap .

Customers are given a plate of rice and then get charged for what they take from the already prepared meats and vegetables displayed buffet style. Prices usually aren't labeled. Locals know approximately how much adding a piece of meat or ladle of sauce costs; tourists do not. Portions are small (typically a spoonful). The person serving you can double up each. They come across as generous, but you'll be charged for double portions at the end.

Although a majority of the nasi kandar restaurants tend to only round up slightly for uninitiated patrons, a few located in tourist areas really fleece newbies. Prices get made up on the spot, and you're obligated to pay if you've already accepted the food. The "Economy Rice" food counter in front of the Tang City Food Court in Chinatown is one such place.

Fortunately, this scam in Kuala Lumpur is more a nuisance than anything. Eating at these buffet-style restaurants is still an inexpensive cultural experience—take advantage! Remember: Many of these eateries cater to a lunch crowd, so offerings are prepared early then kept warm all day. You'll score the freshest food earlier in the day.

Children Selling Flowers and Begging

While eating or drinking at tables outside, you’ll often get approached by children selling flowers or trinkets. Jalan Alor, the famous food parallel to Bukit Bintang, is worked nightly by begging groups .

Although the scenario can be heartbreaking, the children are often part of organized begging rings. They are forced to turn over money to bosses who abuse them. Giving money or buying flowers supports this criminal practice. Avoid keeping the children profitable.

ATM Skimming

Chronis Jons / Getty Images

Card-skimming devices installed on ATMs are a problem around the world. Southeast Asia, in particular, is plagued by rigged machines. Tourists who are unfamiliar with the many styles of ATMs in Kuala Lumpur are susceptible to having their card information stolen.

Here's how it works: Criminals install card skimmers over the actual card slot on ATMs and record your card’s magnetic data as it passes through. Sophisticated skimmers even employ tiny cameras or membranes over the keypad to record your PIN.

Avoid having your card compromised while abroad by only using ATMs in well-lit areas, preferably with guards or a 24-hour human presence. The machines inside bank branches, the airport, or busy transportation hubs are most ideal. Avoid street ATMs in dark kiosks where someone could install additional hardware without being detected.

As banks take countermeasures, the criminals up their game. Skimming devices can also blink with LEDs now, just as the actual card slot. Along with choosing machines in safe locations, try wiggling the card slot to see if anything feels "funny." You can also ensure nothing rests on top of the actual keypad. Cover your hand while punching in the PIN.

Selling Fake Electronics

Maskot / Getty Images

Malaysia is one of the top hubs in the world for manufacturing semiconductors, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll find bargain prices for electronic devices.

That ridiculously low price you get in a mall for the latest Samsung or iPhone unfortunately is too good to be true. Shops are filled with well-made fakes. The smartphones, laptops, and tablets are $100 cheaper than at home for a reason. The size and quality of a mall storefront are not reliable indicators of whether or not the devices for sale are fake.

If you plan to purchase pricey electronics, stick to authorized stores (e.g., buy that Samsung phone directly from the Samsung store) rather than third-party sellers. Even a big shop in an upscale mall could be selling fakes .

Another good reason not to buy tablets, laptops, or pirated software in Kuala Lumpur is that much of it has been hacked or modified. Those cheap software DVDs have been modified to also install malware or a potential backdoor on your computer. Some phones and tablets have been "rooted" to report back your activity and keystrokes.

Tip: Know how international warranty claims are handled before you commit to a purchase abroad. You may not be able to get support or service for a device not purchased in your home country. If you do buy something, add some extra time at the airport to recover tax at the GST window before departing.

Cheating You at the Checkout Counter

Zanariah Salam / EyeEm / Getty Images

Kuala Lumpur and Georgetown in Penang have a running trend of minimart cashiers finding ways to first distract then overcharge customers. The problem isn’t just at small, independent shops; the workers at well-known chains pull the same scam, particularly at night.

When checking out with the cashier, don’t allow yourself to become distracted. Clerks may begin a friendly conversation, asking you many questions throughout the transaction. The scam then unfolds in one of several ways as they never miss a beat.

They close the register drawer, insinuating that you’ve already received your change and put it absentmindedly into your wallet. Another trick is to scan a different barcode behind the register (instead of the one on the item) that costs a little more than whatever you are purchasing. Some experienced at this con will accept your payment, don't open the register, distract you, and then pretend no payment was received. Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised at how easy it is to question yourself. Pros are convincing enough to get you to pay a second time!

Foreign travelers rarely speak up about the small difference in price from false scans. Many are afraid to create a scene by questioning the cashier's integrity and just pay up.

Sketchy SIM Card Purchases

Some of the employees in cell phone kiosks and shops have perfected an easy bait-and-switch scam. They will ask how much pre-paid credit you want added to your newly purchased Malaysian SIM card . Sometimes top-up credit comes in the form of scratch-off cards or receipts with a code on each that needs to be typed into the phone. They'll usually apply the credit to your phone as part of their service.

Employees sometimes charge for 1 GB of data service but actually only set your phone up for 500 MB of credit. You can guess who keeps and uses the additional data credit!

Rogue Wifi Hotspots

More and more rogue Wi-Fi hotspots are popping up around Kuala Lumpur. In public places, knowing which Wi-Fi networks are safe and which are not is becoming more difficult. The rogue access points are set up on laptops by people nearby to capture your login credentials by acting as a "man in the middle."

Just because you happen to be in the airport, an SSID such as “Free Airport WiFi” may not be the real deal. These hotspots sniff traffic as well as provide fake DNS information to redirect clients to fake versions of real sites. Once you log into the simulated Facebook or Gmail page, your password is harvested to sell later. You get redirected to the real site without ever realizing what happened.

Only use Wi-Fi signals that can be trusted. If something feels “off” (e.g., a site’s login page looks funny or images are broken, find a secure connection and change your password immediately. Another indication may be the need to log in twice, even though you're sure you typed in your password correctly the first time.

Tip: Remember that SSIDs are case sensitive. “Starbucks” is not the same as “StarBucks” or “starbucks.” Hackers often utilize nuances in case when choosing fake SSIDs.

Monkeys Around the Batu Caves

Francesco Zoppini / 500px / Getty Images

The macaque monkeys around the Batu Caves just outside of town are well-practiced tricksters. They're among the cheekiest in Southeast Asia, perhaps only beaten in cheekiness by their cousins in Ubud's Monkey Forest .

Beware of macaques that like to snatch sunglasses, water bottles, and anything else within reach on the many tourists who climb the stairs to see the caves. They wouldn’t think twice about grabbing that expensive iPhone from your hands as you lean against the railing for a selfie. It happens.

To stay safe around monkeys , finish any snacks or drinks at ground level before starting the climb up the stairs. Don’t carry food in your daybag—they can even detect an unopened bag of nuts! If a monkey grabs anything on your person, you’ll unfortunately need to let it go to avoid a potential bite or scratch. Playing tug of war with a determined macaque is a losing battle. If bitten, you'll have to go get a series of painful, expensive rabies shots. Even a scratch merits antibiotics.

If the monkeys grab something valuable, don't panic. They'll sometimes grow bored of inedible objects and drop them. Don’t chase the monkeys; doing so will make them run farther out of reach or climb higher. Wait, watch where your item was taken, then seek help from someone who works around the caves.

Don’t encourage bad behavior by feeding or interacting with the monkeys!

The Currency in Kuala Lumpur

Transportation in Kuala Lumpur: The Best Ways to Get Around

10 Common Scams in Bali

Travel Guide to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Vital Information for the First-Time Visitor to Thailand

What $100 Can Get You in Southeast Asia

Macau International Airport Guide

Ho Chi Minh City Guide: Planning Your Trip

Tijuana, Mexico Visitor's Guide

Beijing Guide: Planning Your Trip

Eating at Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur

The Top 10 Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur

Is It Safe in Jamaica?

The 6 Neighborhoods You Need to Know in Kuala Lumpur

Where to Eat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

11 Scams in Kuala Lumpur to Watch Out For

Kuala Lumpur is one of Asia’s largest and most visited cities. With plenty of city attractions, a diverse food culture, and friendly locals, it’s easy to imagine why!

With so many tourists visiting the city every year, there are bound to be scams in Kuala Lumpur to watch out for.

Many are the obvious scams you’ll run into in many places in the world, but others are unique to KL.

Here are the eleven most common scams in Kuala Lumpur to avoid when visiting this vibrant, amazing city!

Airport Transfer Scam

When you arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, you’ll need to watch for fake taxi drivers at the airport, offering to take you to the city.

Similar to taxi scams, airport transfer scams work like this: once approached by a fake taxi driver to take you to the city, they either take long routes to get you to the city, if you confront them, they’ll say they’re avoided an “expensive toll route”.

Another scam is they’ll tell you to pay a higher price once they drop you off at your hotel.

An airport transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport into the city should cost $20 to $25 US . If you use Grab app, it should be even cheaper, depending on the time of day.

Like fake taxis, watch out for fake Grab drivers at the airport also; only get in a Grab car with a license plate matching the car you’ve ordered on the app!

By the way, there’s a specific Grab pickup area at Kuala Lumpur Airport, and you must go there to get picked up by your Grab driver.

How To Avoid:  Book a private airport transfer , order a car with Grab, or take the bus into the city.

Taxi scams are common in Kuala Lumpur. While walking around the city, let’s say you want to go somewhere and ask a taxi driver about the trip cost. The taxi driver then gives you a flat price.

They shouldn’t give you a price because taxis in Kuala Lumpur operate on a meter. If a taxi driver suggests a base price to take you somewhere, they’re overcharging you.

If you want to take a taxi in Kuala Lumpur, make sure the driver uses a meter, and if they don’t, get out and tell them you’re not interested.

By the way, conveniently, Kuala Lumpur is very walkable, and most city center hotels are near most attractions. Also, the public transportation in the city is exceptional, with subway, Skytrain, and bus lines covering the city.

How To Avoid:  If the taxi driver refuses to use the meter, get out of the taxi. Also, pay for your taxi with cash; some taxi drivers have skimming credit card machines that steal your details or overcharge you.

As mentioned earlier, you could always use Grab instead. Grab is a ridesharing app popular in Southeast Asia that is quite convenient. You can order a ride, find your driver, and be on your way!

Fake Gift Scam

You can run into the fake gift scam in many countries. A stranger approaches you on the streets and says they want to give you a free gift .

It could be a rose, a bracelet, a charm, anything really, and sometimes they’re even aggressive and try to put it in your hand.

Once you’ve received the “free gift”, they ask for a “donation” and suggest you pay as much as you like.

Assuming you take the gift and give them some money, they start criticizing the amount. You offer to give the gift back to them, and then they argue that you took it, etc .. it’s all a headache and nothing more than a scam.

Don’t take anything from anyone in Kuala Lumpur when offered for free, and it’s never free.

Pickpocketing

Unfortunately, pickpocketing is prevalent in Kuala Lumpur. It happens most often on busy streets and public transportation.

If you’re using public transportation in Kuala Lumpur, watch out for your pockets and bags, especially when it’s crowded.

Spots with many crowds, like the Jalan Alor Food Street , Chinatown, other notable streets, and the mall, are also popular spots for pickpocketers to lurk around, looking to steal from tourists without them noticing.

How To Avoid : When taking public transportation or visiting popular tourist sites and streets in the city, watch out for your pockets and bags.

Stranger Sad Story Scam

One of the most popular tourist scams in Malaysia is the sad story scam . A stranger approaches you on the street, sometimes just casually striking up a conversation about your visit to Kuala Lumpur.

Later in the conversation, they tell you about their life and usually tell a sad story about something they’re currently overcoming. They then proceed to ask for help in the form of money.

While you may feel bad, understand that 95 percent of the time, this is a scam. They do this act for a living, speaking to random tourists on the street of KL as they get their sympathy and then ask for money.

Children Beggars

This isn’t much of a scam but more of a trick; as you walk around Kuala Lumpur, unfortunately, you’ll see children begging for money.

While you may feel bad and want to give them money, you should know that many of these kids are employees of gangs that deploy them out to get money for them.

Giving them money is only feeding into the poor conditions they’re currently in.

If you encounter this and would really like to help, offer them some nearby street food, buy it for them, and give it to them. But never give them money.

Tour scams are also common in Kuala Lumpur, and the main places you’ll encounter them are on busy tourist streets.

Scammers will offer you heavily discounted tour packages, or they will try to tell you they know the best sites/attractions in the city and can help you.

Don’t bother with all they say; go on your way. They’re trying to take your money and offer a fake tour, and you won’t hear from them again.

How to Avoid : Use reputable tour sites online like Viator for tours in Kuala Lumpur.

Sim Card Scam

Another common scam in Malaysia is the SIM card scam. Sometimes, at the airport, on the street, or in the malls, you may be approached by a stranger offering to sell a SIM card.

Scammers may claim that the SIM card includes unlimited data, international calling, or other enticing features. They’ll also reassure you that it works and you can try using it before you buy it.

Don’t buy it. They’re selling you a prepaid SIM card with possibly nothing left on it.

The scam is that if you buy it and leave with the SIM card, you’ll later discover that there’s no signal and the SIM card is empty.

To avoid this scam, only purchase SIM cards from authorized retailers, such as a city convenience store like KK or 711, or go to the local telecommunication providers like Hotlink.

ATM Skimming

Be careful when using many ATMs in the city, especially near busy tourist streets in Kuala Lumpur.

Some of them have ATM skimmer machines in them, used to steal tourists card details.

Alternatively, some of the ATMs just eat your card and don’t give them back, scammers then retrieve it and use your card details.

The best way to withdraw money in Kuala Lumpur is to use an ATM at a bank inside. These ATMs have 24/7 camera surveillance, so you don’t have to worry about your card details being stolen there.

Phone Call/Text Scam

This is a well-known scam in Kuala Lumpur that isn’t quite famous in most places.

After you’ve purchased a local SIM card to use during your time in the city, you’ll notice many random calls/texts from all sorts of numbers.

These calls or text scams can range with many different storylines to entice you into giving them money somehow.

Scammers might say you have a DHL shipment waiting; you must pay to deliver it. Other times, they’ll tell you your phone signal will be out if you don’t pay an “owing balance.” The storylines are endless when it comes to this scam.

Malaysia ranks as one of the top countries in the world for call/text scams. So unless you know who it is, please don’t pick up or respond to the text and ignore what they say.

Dating Scams

The dating scam in Kuala Lumpur isn’t spoken about enough, and it’s definitely one to watch out for, especially for men alone in the city looking to meet other women. There are numerous dating scams in Malaysia to watch out for, but here are the common ones.

The most common is one where you speak to a woman for many days through a dating app, and then they ask you for money to take the bus to come see you; after sending them some money, you won’t hear from them again.

Another one is where you may engage in rather flirtatious conversation; they then ask you to speak on Instagram/Facebook, where you can send one another photos; the scammer asks you for a few explicit photos if you send any. They then threaten to send these photographs to the contact list you’re following on Instagram.

Last, this version isn’t as much of a scam but more of a waste of time. After speaking with a woman online in KL, they ask you to meet up, and you do so. Once you’ve met her and enjoyed her company, she tells you that she’s a working girl, you know what I mean, and asks if you’re interested.

Scams In Kuala Lumpur – Final Thoughts

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city; don’t let these scams deter you from enjoying it. Like many large cities worldwide, a few scammers seek to exploit tourists visiting.

These are the common scams in Kuala Lumpur, but there are more, some unique to a select few scammers in the city, so be on the lookout.

If you recently visited Kuala Lumpur and encountered a scam not included on this list, please comment below so that others reading this article will know what to look out for when visiting!

What are the most common money scams in Malaysia?

Child beggars, strangers offering free gifts, and ATM skimming machines are all common money scams in Malaysia.

What should I do if I am scammed in Malaysia?

If you’re scammed in Malaysia, report it instantly to the local police, file a case, and stay updated with the local authority.

Is Malaysia known for scams?

For the most part, no, but Kuala Lumpur has its fair share of scams, being a large city with plenty of tourists visiting yearly.

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Owity founded Travel Hiatus in 2022 to document his travel, food and cultural experiences from all over the globe in order to help fellow travellers along the way. His slow travels allow him to research and explore places in-depth, meaning only the best and most informational guides for fellow readers! From Europe to North America, Asia and more, so far Owity has visited 21 countries.

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Top 10 tourist scams to watch out for when in Malaysia

With golden beaches, cosmopolitan cities, rich culture and colorful festivals from the many ethnicities that live within it, Malaysia is a country that needs visiting. The country that is fast gaining traction as a good backpacking destination akin to its neighbor Thailand is can be explored on a low budget and is very welcoming of foreign travelers. It, as with any tourist hotspot does, however, come with its fair share of scams and vices.

1. Fake merchandise

Malaysia with a multitude of large malls is a great place for shopping. Travelers are however warned to be wary of goods that are cheap and too good to be true as they are counterfeits.

How to avoid- the only shop in reputed stores and if the price is too good to be true, walk away.

2. The tourist police

Con men dressed in clothes that appear rather official will stop you on your tracks and ask for proof of legal stay or insist on checking your bags for drugs. They will then claim that your visa has issues or plant drugs and ask for bribes to let you off.

How to avoid- ask for proof of authority and insist on going to the police station to clear matters if threatened with missing documents or possession of drugs.

3. Spiking drinks

Malaysia has a thriving nightlife and instances of drinks being spiked to rob foreigners have been reported.

How to avoid- watch the preparation of your drinks and keep a careful eye over your drinks.

4. Taxis without meters

Taxis without meters have been known to charge exorbitant fares at the end of the journey.

How to avoid- insist on the meter being turned on prior to starting the journey

5. Children that beg or sell flowers

Children that beg or sell flowers are a common sight in the more congested tourist hot spots in Malaysia. These children are employed by organized gangs who take their earnings leaving very little for the children.

How to avoid- do not purchase or make donations to such children as that will only encourage the gangs behind these children.

6. ATM skimming

With increasing reports of ATM skimming, it is wise to ensure the ATM you use is one that is safe and will not compromise your financial data.

How to avoid- use ATMs that are in well-lit areas or in locations such as banks and malls which makes it difficult to install additional hardware for con men.

7. Rogue hotspots

There is an increasing number of rogue WIFI hotspots that are proving tourists with free internet. The administrator of these networks harvest data from the end-users and use it for his advantage.

How to avoid- only connect to and use networks that you trust

There will be touts everywhere trying to lure you with offers of cheap tickets. These tickets are often fake and will only get you in trouble with the transport authority.

How to avoid- say no firmly and purchase your tickets from authorized ticketing centers.

9. Card game scams

Do not practice your gambling with locals at a place of their choosing. Such places are rigged and the only outcome is you losing your hard-earned money.

How to avoid- say no to offers of card games no matter how tempting it is. Remember, the house always wins

10. Fake monks

Con men garbed in yellow robes will approach you and ask for donations to their temples. This is a scam as no monk will reach out and ask for donations as such.

How to avoid- feign confusion and apologize for not having any money and walk away.

Related publications

6 online travel scams you need to stay away from, how to escape the currency exchange scam, top tourist scams to watch out for when in japan, top 10 tourist scams to watch out for in thailand.

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Dozens of South Koreans duped in $630k Malaysia travel scam

JOHOR BAHRU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Dozens of Koreans in Malaysia have been duped out of more than RM2 million (S$630,000) in what is believed to be a flight ticketing scam.

The victims were enticed with huge discounts on their airline tickets to and from South Korea as well as the promise of 100 per cent refunds for those unable to board their flights should they test positive for Covid-19.

So far, over a dozen police reports have been lodged nationwide, especially in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor.

Malaysian daily The Star reported that a couple - a Malaysian in his 20s and his Korean wife in her 30s who operate a travel agency in Sabah - could be involved in the scam.

The South Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is aware of the scam and has been asking their nationals to lodge reports on the matter.

One of the victims, who wanted to be known only as Kim, said the couple had advertised their services on a local Korean community page, which has among its members, thousands of Koreans residing in Malaysia.

She said the couple not only provided cheaper flight tickets but also enticed people with full refunds for those unable to board their flights due to Covid-19.

"If you purchase the tickets via the airlines, there is no discount or refund if you are unable to board your flight on the date of departure.

"There were many good reviews about their services. I believe that due to border restrictions, they (couple) were able to get airlines to give them good prices for tickets to and from South Korea," she told The Star.

However, when the borders were fully reopened in April, they (couple) were unable to book the seats for those who had paid earlier as the airlines might be fully booked.

"I alone paid more than RM30,000 for three business class tickets for my husband, eight-year-old daughter and myself to South Korea in June.

"We paid in January and now, they (couple) are saying that they are unable to refund my money," she said, adding that she had lodged a police report in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

Ms Kim said the couple's ruse was exposed when 10 Koreans who were flying from Kuala Lumpur to South Korea were stranded at the KL International Airport despite being given electronic tickets on April 29.

"There was no explanation and they were very upset.

"Since then, many people posted that they have not been able to contact the tour agency or the couple," she said, adding that there could be more than 100 victims nationwide, including Malaysians.

The couple, she added, had allowed Koreans to pay either in Malaysian or Korean currencies via bank transfers here and in South Korea.

Ms Kim hopes that the police will immediately track down the couple and help them get refunds.

When contacted, a police spokesperson said the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Panel Code for cheating.

The spokesperson said to date, there were seven reports in Johor alone with losses amounting to more than RM100,000.

The Johor police, he added, would be liaising with their counterparts in Sabah to track down the couple.

He urged victims with information about the case to come forward and inform the police.

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Opt for trusted travel agencies to avoid being scammed – Tourism Malaysia

Ghapar (third right) receiving a memento from Nur Hayati during the launch of Fly Borneo Specials Vol 1.

KOTA KINABALU (Sept 29): Travelers are advised not to trust unverified tourism agencies offering suspiciously cheap travel packages on social media, says Tourism Malaysia director general Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar.

“When you see an offer that seems too good to be true, think twice. Question why it is so cheap and check it thoroughly.

“Scammers now are very good at what they do, so we as consumers should be very careful once we are aware of their trickery.

“Go to a registered and licensed travel agent instead to prevent yourself from getting scammed,” he said when launching Tourism Malaysia’s Fly Borneo Specials Vol 1 at Sutera Harbour resort here on Friday.

Annuar was responding to cases of travelers in the country, including Sabah, getting scammed off their accommodation, transportation, Haj pilgrimages, etc. from shady tourism agencies on social media.

He said the relevant authorities are taking all measures to tackle the problem – which is not exclusive to Malaysia – but at the same time reiterated that travelers should always opt for trusted travel agencies.

“What really surprises me is how people can still get scammed and conned despite knowing about the abundance of scams nowadays.

“Why? It is because no effort is put into making sure to be extra careful to prevent falling victim to these scams,” he said.

Also present at Tourism Malaysia’s Fly Borneo Specials Vol 1 launch were Malaysia Aviation Group central region head Nur Hayati Datuk Aziz Rashid and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Noredah Othman.

Meanwhile, in a statement on Friday, Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) president Datuk Seri Winston Liaw also urged members of the public to be careful and not fall prey to tourism scams.

Winston urged the public not to simply join any tours advertised on social media including Facebook and not to trust fake travel advertisements.

He added that they should also check whether the travel agent has a proper office approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

“Since last August, there have been numerous complaints raised by West Malaysian tourists who were scammed off their tour fare for supposed Mount Kinabalu climbing and firefly watching packages.

“They had paid for a five-day and four-night tour but when they were at the airport, they found that no tickets were booked, and when the hotels were contacted, no bookings were made, etc.

“These scams had also occurred at a travel fair in West Malaysia where the victims were sold fake travel tours to Sabah,” he said.

Winston added the association had also received complaints from passengers joining outbound tours to foreign countries. When they arrived at the airport they found that no airline tickets were booked and no refund was available.

In this regard, he said SATTA is seeking assistance from all consulates or embassies not to issue visas to unlicensed individuals who often organised outbound tours among friends in order to prevent more people from being scammed.

He said some of the individuals had even operated their scams under the name of non-governmental organisations after a VIP of a certain association was recently found to be involved in such illegal activity.

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Tourist Scams in Malaysia

10 tricky tourist scams in malaysia for being aware.

Please be aware of these common tourist scams in Malaysia if you tend to visit this country a few days later. Otherwise, I am sure you will have a bad time and never want to come in the second time.

Well, it is due to the fact that scams are common in Malaysia although police officers are considered having been so tough to block the scams.

In this regards, Kuala Lumpur is the crowded city and the most wanted visited area either for a tour or for a business.

Tricksters are everyone without anyone even recognize. So, you had better look at the following list of tourist scams that mostly occurs in Malaysia.

Taxi scam is very common especially for the visitors in their first visit. Due to the fact that taxi is the public transportation developing rapidly.

Most people prefer to take taxi because of its fast speed to help people reach the destination quickly.

Thus, taxi scam always tends to occur. But how a taxi scam work? Well, some taxi drivers will not use their meters and name and ask people to pay more for the service. However, the price is driven up unknowingly.

To avoid this scam, you can buy the taxi coupons in the coupon counter. Alternatively, you can use Grab or Uber app to avoid the taxi scam.

Scratch and Win Coupons Scam

The next tourist scams in Malaysia you must get to know is the scratch and win coupons scam.  When you are just passing the high traffic, you will be approach by some teenagers offering you some coupons with a chance to win a car, motorbike and other luxury things. You will be noticed as the winner when you have taken one coupon.

After congratulating you, these teenagers urge you to get the prize instantly. However, a catch will soon occur and costs you along with the mount of terms and conditions.

If you want to avoid this kind of scam, you had better cross the street right away.

Charity Organization Scam

Some individuals tends to ask for donations by claiming their selves come from a charity organization. They come with a complete photo IDs, certifications and a book containing much information the organization.

These people are usually appearing in some public places such as restaurants. They will ask for cash money.

If you are meeting one of them while you are having dinner in a restaurant, you can just say no and they will leave.

Fake Monks Scam

Line in other country such as Cambodia, fake monks scam also tends to occur in Malaysia.

You will notice this fake monks with shaved bald heads and costumes. Frequently, they even hand medallions or cards over you without saying anything.

After a few seconds, they will ask for a donation in return. You can surely avoid this fake monk scam in Malaysia by not accepting they gifts and walking away.  The will leave if don’t seem to give a chance.

Pickpockets

Every country has its pickpockets walking around the street and the crowd of people. This is also one of the tourist scams in Malaysia in the list that you must be aware. When you are just unaware of your belongings, they will take the away even without you are realizing.

Soon they will be disappearing. Their favorite places are the packed and crowded areas such as town square, night fair and etc.

Even the bad times can occur because of the pickpockets who bring a sharp pocketknives with. Unnoticeably, they will slid at the side of your bag and make it away. Thus, be alerted and hold tight your bag while you are walking in such crowded areas.

Tour Guide Scam

Another tourist scam that is mostly happening in Malaysia is the tour guide scam. Well, tour guide scam tend to occur in an airport such as one in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Once the tourists arrive at the airport, the scammers are pretending to be a staff of an agency or hotel informing that they will take you to your destination place. They will ask for some money on the amount you must pay for the destination place.

To avoid this scamming, you can just say that you can go anywhere by yourself or you have a clear destination already and do not need any tour guide. Pretend as if you were going to this country for so many times.

Flower Sellers

One of the tourist scams in Malaysia you may also have to notice is the flower sellers. In this way, the flower sellers will just pass you by and ask you to buy a stalk of flowers while you are walking around the streets of Kuala Lumpur city center.

In this case, the flower sellers are typically young girls of about nine to twelve years old. They will keep offering their flowers until you buy them no matter how many flowers you buy.

However, they will keep coming again for so many times until you buy all of their flowers.

If you are planning to stay in Malaysia for a few days or weeks, be aware of the card fraud. Considering that most people tend to use credit cards to avoid bringing cash in the purse, card fraud tends to happen in several unscrupulous establishments.

Thus, make sure you get a receipt for each of transaction to avoid being overcharged.

Now if you are one of the people who like to use credit cards, be aware of this card frauds. You must have been familiar with this set of problem if you have been the credit cards users.

Is there any poker scam in Malaysia? Definitely yes! While you are enjoying the tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur, you will be approach by local people wanting to build up a friendship through an enjoyable conversation.

Once you are telling them where you are from, they start to tell you a story about their relatives staying at your home country. That is the way they use to make you trust them.

Later, you will be invited to a gambling game causing you lose all your money. This way, you may be served with the drugged drink so that you follow all what they say.

To get rid of this tourist scam in Malaysia, all you need to do is to walk away and refuse any invitation if you cross any of them.

Fake Tourist Police

One and must-occur scam in Malaysia is the fake tourist police. Of you just come to this country for the first time, you will be easily tricked.

Once you arrive, some people with the police suit approach you and ask to see your documents even they want to inspect your bag.

This is the time when you must peep at the way they are doing it. They may take all valuable things out of your bag even without being recognized.

To avoid this, ask them to take you to a police station nearby and they will let you go.

Overall, there are many tourist scams in Malaysia you must be aware of especially if you come for the

How to avoid tourist scams in Penang , Malaysia in 2022

How to avoid these 6 tourist scams in penang , malaysia.

Tourist scams are the only negative side of travelling (along with the expenses). It´s unfortunate that these amazing destinations we visit have a small minority who thrive to take advantage of innocent tourists that come to provide income for their local economy. Penang , Malaysia is no different and has it´s typical scams as well. Here is how to avoid tourist scams in Penang , Malaysia in 2022. While this article will highlight the main tourist scams that tend to occur in Penang , I highly suggest you watch a documentary on Netflix about tourist scams called “Scam City” .

Picture Scam

One popular scam in Penang , Malaysia is when a local asks you to take their picture. They hand you their camera and ask that you take their picture. Upon returning the camera, they purposely drop it and blame you for breaking their camera, demanding you pay them. Kindly refuse to take anyone´s picture (or unless you are 100% sure they are not locals).

Taxis Overcharging

When Uber and its alternatives are not available in a destination, we must use taxis. Penang , Malaysia is no different. Whenever you hop into a taxi in Penang , make sure to ask them to turn on the meter. It´s also recommended to map out your journey prior to entering the taxi, so you have an idea as to how long the trip should take. This way, you can ask your taxi drive prior to entering approximately how long the trip will take and cross reference it with what Google Maps or Waze shows you on your phone.

Friendly ATM Helper

Someone approaches you at an ATM cash machine in Penang to help you avoid local bank fees. Their true intention is to scan your debit or credit card with the card skimmer in their pocket and watch you enter your pin number so they can drain your account later. Another version of this popular scam is when your card has trouble at an ATM machine and they approach and want to help you sort it out. Make sure to always cover the number pad with your other hand while entering your pin code. While it´s best to refuse any help when at an ATM machine, it´s even better if you can travel with credit cards that have no foreign currency fees and cash that can be exchanged in a local bank in Penang , Malaysia.

“Friendly” Bar Friends

If hooking up is part of your plans while visiting Penang , Malaysia, beware of the following scam. Two friendly girls (or guys) will make small talk and lead you to believe that there is mutual interest. They will then suggest to go for a drink and will invite you to join them to a bar nearby (which they are partners with). After a couple shots you will end up paying 5-10 times more. They will offer to chip in a small amount but if you don´t pay up, you will be escorted by the bar bodyguards to an ATM to withdraw enough cash to pay the bill. In order to avoid falling to this tourist scam in Penang , there are a few things you can do. First, you can suggest the bar. Second, make sure to ask for the bar menu once you arrive so you can see the prices.

Bird Poop Scam

While walking in the streets of Penang , someone throws a bit of white paste on your shoulder, so your natural intention is to look up thinking it was bird poop. Suddenly, a “friendly” local offers to help clean up, all this while cussing at the birds for creating such a mess. While they help clean you, they also pick pocket you. Unless an emergency, kindly refuse any “help” from locals who rush over to assist you. Keep all your possessions hidden away, ideally money/cards in an internal pocket

Guessing Game Scam

While walking the streets of Penang , Malaysia, you see a man with three boxes and he has a group of people around him trying to guess in which box the ball is placed. One of the people in the group guesses the correct answer, and the man hands him a money as a prize. They do this again with another member of the group, with the same reaction. The commotion attracts more and more people to come and see this generous street performer. Then, an innocent bystander from the crowd is asked to guess. While concentrated in focusing on where the ball is, the members in the group quickly pick pocket them for any valuables.

It´s best to stay away from public commotion and keep all valuables hidden from the public.

We know you will enjoy your trip to Penang , Malaysia, but just make sure to be aware of these common tourist scams that can dent your amazing experience.

If you already booked your hotel in Penang , you can still save up to 40% off its price utilizing Pruvo.  The service of Pruvo will get you the exact same hotel room you have already booked for a much lower price – we recommend you to try it completely free and risk-free!

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Chinese Female Tourist Scammed Of RM4,500 At KLIA

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The victim withdrew RM1,500 three times and gave a total of RM4,500 to the other party.

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Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB) has confirmed that a Chinese female tourist defrauded RM4,500 by scammers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

The incident, reported on social media, has been handed over to the police for investigation.

According to a report by Sin Chew , the victim shared her ordeal on Xiaohongshu, a popular social media platform in China.

While checking her luggage at the airport, she encountered a tomboy who claimed to be a Singaporean.

The suspect said she needed money to pay for her extra check-in luggage.

The two went to an ATM together, where the victim withdrew RM1,500 three times and gave a total of RM4,500 to the other party.

The suspect claimed she had asked her mother to return the money but disappeared while preparing for boarding.

The victim reported the case to the police station on the 5th floor of the airport.

MAHB Assures Cooperation With The Police

In response to the incident, MAHB stated that airport security has cooperated with the Malaysian police and provided all relevant information.

The company also emphasized that passenger safety remains its top priority and urged all passengers to remain vigilant at the airport.

MAHB has confirmed that the police have arrested the suspect but declined to comment further as the investigation is ongoing.

The victim’s post on Xiaohongshu has been forwarded and discussed by netizens, with some private messaging the woman to share similar experiences.

The incident serves as a reminder for all travellers to be cautious and aware of potential scams at the airport.

READ MORE : Minister Says Tourist Asked To Pay RM18,000 Bribe At KLIA

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US embassy reaffirms that Malaysia is still safe to travel

Friday, 26 Apr 2024

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PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is still safe to travel, affirms the US embassy to Malaysia, negating US academic Bruce Gilley’s claim that it is not.

“There is no change to the US travel advisory, which remains at Level 1, the lowest level out of four,” it said in a statement.

According to the United States Bureau of Consular Affairs, Level 1 is the lowest advisory level for safety and security, between Levels 1 to 4, and 4 being “do not travel”.

At Level 1, travellers are to exercise normal precautions in the country, it said.

Checks by The Star on the US State Department’s website showed that Malaysia has been on Level 1 since its last update on July 24, 2023. Additionally, its country information on Malaysia says that the countries have healthy bilateral ties.

“Economic ties are robust, and there is a long history of people-to-people exchanges. Malaysia has a diverse democracy and is an important partner in US engagement with South-East Asia,” it said.

Earlier this week, US academician Bruce Gilley claimed in a post on X that Malaysia is not safe to travel to.

He said on the social media platform that he had left Malaysia due to safety concerns caused by an “Islamo-fascist mob whipped up by the government there”.

Recently, Universiti Malaya (UM) had invited Gilley to speak, which caused controversy.

Gilley purportedly claimed that Malaysia had pushed for a “second holocaust against the Jewish people” during his talk, and downplayed Malaysia’s ties with the United States.

After the cancellation of all events involving Gilley by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, the academician has since returned to America.

Further sparking outrage, he posted that he will not accept reimbursement for his travels from UM, choosing instead to ask the public to fund his costs via an online platform.

“(Gilley’s) social media post on the safety of travelling in Malaysia is too much. It is irresponsible and can cause anger among all Malaysians,” UM said in a statement.

Tags / Keywords: US embassy , Bruce Gilley , Israel , UM , University Malaya , travel advisory

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