32 Common Travel Scams and How to Avoid Them Like a Pro

By

Akanksha Sharma

November 4, 2025

22. The Fake Photography Scam

Tourist Taking Photos. Photo Credit: Envato @seventyfourimages

A friendly local offers to take a photo of you in front of a famous landmark, but instead of handing the camera back, they run off with it. In another version, a scammer offers to pose for a photo in a cultural costume and later demands money. How to Avoid It: Always ask a fellow tourist or a hotel staff member to take your photo instead of a stranger.

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