How to Spot the "Swapped Merchandise" Travel Scam

The "Swapped Merchandise" Travel Scam is a scam aimed at tourists who want to find the best deal for their money while in a foreign country. The scam can employ any item, as long as it can be secretly exchanged for another item before the buyer leaves with it. Read the following tips to learn how to spot the "Swapped Merchandise" Travel Scam and keep your hard-earned money.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Walk into a store or approach a vending point.

2. Look at the merchandise available for purchase and pick the best quality item.

3. Take the item to the salesclerk or vendor and pay for it.

4. Beware if the vendor offers to wrap the item for you. Vendors will likely offer this service for free to entice you to take it.

5. Watch the vendor take the item to a place where you can't see it. Street vendors may lower the item underneath a table and clerks may claim that the wrapping materials are located in the back of the store.

6. Wait for the vendor to return with your wrapped item or raise it above the table. Take the wrapped item with you without checking its contents.

7. Arrive at your hotel or another place where you may stay. Unwrap your item to find that an item of inferior quality has been given to you.

Tips & Warnings

• Always check the quality of the item you buy before leaving the store or vending point--especially food or drink items. Bottled water seals may be broken and filled with unhealthy tap water and food containers may be filled with inedible or spoiled substances.
• This scam has been known to employ the lure of precious stones which are later traded for rocks.
• Ask for receipts at legitimate stores that offer them.
• Vendors will likely claim that they gave you the right product after you try to return it. Some scammers may move their vending point every few days so tourists can't locate them.
• Some scammers may offer elaborate wrapping of the item assuming that you won't open it until you get back to your native country.