https://www.reddit.com/r/taiwan/comments/1j7r7ex/should_i_worry_about_scams_in_taipei/
created by twpbro on 10/03/2025 at 05:06 UTC
0 upvotes, 19 top-level comments (showing 19)
Hello everyone, I just wonder if there's any scam that I should put up my shields against in and around Taipei. When I was in Prague, it was super obvious and ruined my total experience there. Any info about what and where to avoid will be appreciated, thanks in advance
Comment by BubbhaJebus at 10/03/2025 at 05:23 UTC
17 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Scammers in Taiwan tend to be the kind that call you or LINE you for some investment scam. You're unlikely to be scammed in any way in Taiwan, but if something seems fishy, use common sense.
Comment by wzmildf at 10/03/2025 at 05:18 UTC
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There are some, but not many. Be cautious of people on the street trying to sell you something, solicit donations, or borrow money. In general, places with a storefront and legitimate business operations should be fine.
Comment by hong427 at 10/03/2025 at 05:14 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Nope.
I mean, just say no if you think its a scam.
Comment by Big-Blackberry1790 at 10/03/2025 at 05:12 UTC*
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Not in my experience I went to go visit my partner in December and everyone was very friendly, helpful
Felt for sure out of place like the only white person other than her for miles but definitely no scam vibes like Thailand etc
Edit: only country I’ve been to where the language barrier was very very apparent. Quite hard to get scammed over google translate lol
Comment by Roygbiv0415 at 10/03/2025 at 05:44 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Taiwan doesn't have the majority of tourist scams abroad (which makes Taiwanese particularly suspectible when they're traveling abroad themselves, IMO). Also, like Japan Taiwan has moved towards a culture that no longer promotes haggling, so unless you're in a traditional market, in the vast majority of cases the price you see is the price you pay. Doesn't mean that touristy areas won't charge you exorbitantly, just that it's clearly displayed.
I heard of "Foreigner tax" scams (differently priced items on English menus), but have never encountered one myself. I also heard of taxi scams, but in modern times unless you specifically request a route for the driver to follow, otherwise they'll usually input your destination into a GPS device, and follow the GPS's route to avoid any potential disputes.
Comment by CommanderGO at 10/03/2025 at 05:44 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The most common scams I've heard about in Taiwan are pyramid schemes and asking for money through Line.
Comment by 4rugal at 10/03/2025 at 05:15 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Don’t feel pressured to buy stuff because of guilt.
Comment by ParanoidCrow at 10/03/2025 at 05:57 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I remember the asking for donations type scam outside of train stations years ago. And some where you had to leave your personal info. But nowadays there really isn't much in terms of physical scams, it's all online or over the phone nowadays - and there's no shortage of those.
Comment by ecallegari at 10/03/2025 at 06:02 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
no. mostly they (may not be taiwanese scammers) target Taiwanese rather than foreigners. The one I heard is the old call about kidnap a family member (usually adult daughter) and ask for money ( even though it's totally false).
Comment by Nervous-Project7107 at 10/03/2025 at 06:06 UTC*
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Nothing that you have to worry about. If you ever meet one and you came from a place that has scammers they will actually see obvious to you. The only one I’ve ever met was a local lady that pretends she is lost and asks for money around ximending.
There’s also some hot girls adding you on social media for no reason and suddenly asking for money, but I have no idea how people fall for this.
If you go to a non touristy place and get extremely unlucky, they may “forget” to give you the correct change. But again this only happened to me once in years and I they were not insistent when I caught them in the act.
Comment by the_walkingdad at 10/03/2025 at 05:40 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Scammers are very rare in Taiwan. And they seem to actually target other Taiwanese more than foreigners. That said, Taiwan is incredibly safe in every way other than earthquakes.
Comment by Misericorde428 at 10/03/2025 at 06:35 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
A lot of scams in Taiwan nowadays are those of investment fraud and the type where scammers masquerade as a representative of a government/institution.
The only on-premise scammers I’ve seen in Taiwan in the last few years was when there were kids trying to sell “Charity/handmade pens” (愛心筆), where they tried to pull your heart strings by telling you a sob story about how they’re trying to raise funds by making these handcrafted and artsy pens. However, this was a long time ago, and due to backlash, I doubt you would see them now.
Anyway, you still have to be extremely cautious or suspicious of anyone asking you to provide personal information or borrow money.
Comment by __Emer__ at 10/03/2025 at 06:40 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I have not been approached once in Taipei/Taiwan in the 2 times (total of 3 weeks) I was there. When I travel in Europe, especially big touristy cities like Paris, Rome, etc. I see scammers everywhere. In Taipei not one.
Pretty sure the only scams you’ll be remotely at risk of falling for is people in front of clubs/bars trying to coax you in, and the prices being astronomical
Comment by brontosauruschuck at 10/03/2025 at 07:41 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
If you want I can inspect your wallet to make sure it's scam proof.
Comment by b0ooo at 10/03/2025 at 07:57 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There are other types of scams that take place.
For example, Taxi scams: they'll demand payment up front and then demand payment again upon arrival and claim you didn't pay. Only pay upon arrival. Never pay up front for anything.
That said, sometimes the person that sells the bus pass won't have any uniform and is just some rando looking unc, but if everyone else on the bus is buying from him it probably is legit
Comment by Real_Sir_3655 at 10/03/2025 at 08:02 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Watch out for the fruit ladies. They have this weird trick they do where one apple turns into 3000nt worth of delicious fruits.
Comment by pugwall7 at 10/03/2025 at 11:08 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Taiwan has a ridiculous amount of scams and white collar crime, but basically none of it is targeted at tourists and more pyramid schemes or get rich quick schemes or phone scams
Comment by mnemonicj at 10/03/2025 at 05:28 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
You are more likely to get scammed from someone in whatever country you’re from.
Comment by Objective_Suspect_ at 10/03/2025 at 06:43 UTC
0 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It's not as bad as China. Just don't be dumb