This happened THREE WEEKS AGO in Beijing. So yes, the scam is still running.
My Canadian friend Jake was walking around Houhai Lake. A friendly young woman approached him and said his shoes were cool. Asked where he was from. Said she was an art student.
The hook:
She said: "There's a really nice tea house nearby where local artists meet. Would you like to see? It's my friend's place. Very authentic."
Jake is a nice guy. He said yes.
The trap:
They walked to a small tea house. Sat down. The "art student" ordered tea for both of them without showing a menu.
They drank. They chatted. She showed him some "artwork" on the walls.
Then the bill arrived: ¥1,280.
For two cups of tea.
Jake texted me in all caps. I told him to pay nothing, stand up, and walk out.
He did. They yelled at him. He kept walking. Nothing happened.
The other common scams still active:
1. Art gallery / "help me practice English" scam
Similar setup. Friendly stranger → art gallery → pressure to buy overpriced art.
2. Black taxis at airports
Guys in white shirts approach you inside the terminal. Quote flat prices 3–5x normal. Real taxis wait outside in a line.
3. Counterfeit money given as change
Rare but happens at small shops. Check the watermark.
4. Fake police
People claiming to be police who ask to see your wallet. Real police have badges and uniforms.
The golden rule:
If a stranger is too friendly, too quickly, and wants to take you somewhere — say no. Politely but firmly.
China is genuinely safe. Violent crime against foreigners is extremely rare. But scams exist, and they target people who look lost and trusting.
Jake's lesson:
"I thought I was too smart to get scammed. I was wrong. The setup was so smooth I didn't realize it was happening until the bill came."
Anyone else encountered a scam in China? How did you handle it?
Posted on 2026-5-23 12:48:28