amsterdam police scam - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

prospectivetraveler · 01-04-2006, 01:11 PM

This is apparently more common than i though. While in amsterdam, red light district mainly, there are people who fake being cops. They hold out something that looks like our FBI ID card, white card with photo and some seal on it, but no badge and say they are undercover cops. And accuse you of something, usually drugs that are illegal there like coke. Then they tell you to empty your pockets and say that its either a bribe for them or jail.

I was warned about this on my wat from schipol <the airport> and it happened like 5 mins later. So, unless they are wearing a uniform ask to be taken to the police station and they will leave you alone.

by the way the same guy who tried to scam me also tried to beg for money from me at the trainstation less than an hour later.

this happen to anyone else?

**omisan** · 01-04-2006, 02:10 PM

Never had it happen to me, but I've heard of it happening to others. Asking them to take you to the police station - that's sage advice. You'll run into this scam in Spain, Italy, and eastern Europe, as well. I know a guy who lost his passport and wallet that way.

chelseafc05 · 01-04-2006, 06:06 PM

ive always wondered what if you ask them to take you to a police sation then they say ok then smartass bitch... then they put you in there car, then dump you in a forest and take your stuff and drive off....... or is that unlikely?

mark-0 · 01-04-2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chelseafc05@Jan 4 2006, 09:06 PM
ive always wondered what if you ask them to take you to a police sation then they say ok then smartass bitch... then they put you in there car, then dump you in a forest and take your stuff and drive off....... or is that unlikely?

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If it's not a police car or very obvious stealth cop car, don't get in, or maybe ask to see his badge to take down his badge number. Granted if this is a real cop they will be pissed off that you asked for their badge number, but in most places you should be within your rights to get that information. I don't know. Heard about this kind of thing on websites like this but have never seen anything like this firsthand, and I've travelled a ton in Italy and spent a lot of time wandering Barcelona.

**TheWills** · 01-04-2006, 11:55 PM

I would think that worst case if you still got a bad feeling about it, make a scene and demand they call for backup and you want a fully decekd out legit cop car coming for proof

JeanB · 02-24-2006, 01:26 AM

I ran into this i think in munich train station. Two guys approached me and told me they wanted to search me for drugs and see my passport. I asked them why they would want to search backpackers and they said that lots of australian backpackers were bringing drugs into the city (ridiculous). I laughed loudly and told them that they can search me but will find nothing.Then, fortunately i asked so many questions that they could see i wasn't happy. They didnt search me but did ask to see my passport.......luckily they didnt take it....i dont know why. If they are policeman ask for their rank and file number, and start to pretend to call your embassy from a cell phone as soon as it starts happening.

**Esterina** · 02-24-2006, 06:49 AM

This sort of scam is regular in Romania and other countries. As it's been said, always ask to go to the police station with them. And unlike Chelsea fears, they won't put you into their car, they'll disapear within a few seconds.

This usually happens to guys. Never met a girl who met such "officers". Whilst in Romania, I met two guys who were asked for their passport in Bucharest (it happened twice to one of them!), but they had read about this scam in the Lonely Planet, so knew what to do. It's not dangerous because the scammers (is that a word ?) don't want to be anywhere nearby a police officer.

The guys that had the attempt of scam, had pretty much the look of tourists, one with a nice camera, one with a small backpack as daypack... I use a second hand shoulder bag, that looks worn out, and never had a problem. Another traveller I've met in Romania had the brilliant idea to carry his things in a bag from the local grocery store ! He too never had problems.

**tumblezweedz** · 02-24-2006, 08:05 AM

Atchoum, that is great advice about the grocery bag. In Lithuania, almost all the locals, no matter how snazzily dressed, had some kind of shopping bag from picking up the day's necessities. So it's an easy thing to grab a couple of bars of chocolate and a bottle of water on your first day, and then carry your camera and tour book in the bag the rest of your stay in country, and you'll fit right in. I also tend to travel with a more casual carry bag, rather than a daypack, and have never had any troubles along the way.