Ranked among Asia’s top tourist hotspots, Kuala Lumpur is also a location where tourists can be duped by frauds and scammers. Here are some well-known tourist traps to avoid in the city.
Taking the Long Way
While it may seem relatively harmless, taxi drivers taking a longer route to reach their destination to be able to charge more for the ride is a very common phenomenon in Kuala Lumpur. Haggling the cost of a ride is forbidden in metered taxis operating in the city; therefore, this is a means through which drivers can earn more by taking tourists on a longer excursion that seems worth the hefty charges.
Pricey Eats
Although it may not be a common practice in most Nasi Kandar restaurants, it is a relatively popular scam in Kuala Lumpur’s Little India region. Restaurants usually serve meals buffet style where diners can choose which dishes accompany their meal. The side dishes include meat and veggies with no visible price tags as most locals are aware of the cost. The restaurants will often charge foreigners double this amount just because the prices are not indicated.
ATM Scams
Withdrawing cash using an ATM can also be a risky business if one is fitted with a card reading or card skimming device. There are countless ATMs in the city that are “rigged” so as to reveal your PIN. This is why PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur or any other service apartment in Malaysia should only withdraw money from a bank’s ATM when a security guard is on duty.
Counterfeit Tech
Do not buy smartphones, electronics, and other devices in Kuala Lumpur from shops that are not authorized dealers for the product. There are countless fake tech gadgets in the local market.
