Destinations › China › Guangzhou › Scams
Guangzhou, China
10 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Guangzhou, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.
Trade-fair season 'agents' and 'translators' approaching visitors, taking deposits for factory introductions or samples that never materialise.
Wholesale markets selling counterfeit branded goods presented to visiting buyers as authorised export stock, with fabricated paperwork.
Counterfeit notes given as change in markets and by street vendors, with 100-yuan notes the usual denomination.
Unlicensed cars soliciting outside the railway stations and airport, quoting fixed fares far above the metered rate.
Advance-fee teaching and modelling offers aimed at foreign nationals, requesting payment for visa processing that is never done.
Restaurants in tourist areas presenting bills with items not ordered, or applying undisclosed service charges.
Teahouse and art-gallery invitations from English-speaking strangers in the tourist areas, ending in a large bill.
Bag-slashing and pickpocketing in the crush around the wholesale market districts and station forecourts.
Short-let apartment listings taking deposits for properties unavailable on arrival during trade-fair weeks.
Rail and event tickets sold by touts outside stations at markups or entirely invalid.
