Job Discussion Forums

[jamessmart50]

Hi,

I'm sure most of you have heard about this one but it's really for newbies. There's a big scam going round Istanbul at the moment, in particular round Taksim, don't let it happen to you!

Someone will approach you asking for the time (probably). Then they "realise" you speak English, and treat you like their long lost brother, I love the Canadians, so much better than the Americans, my mother lives in London, my best friends are all Australians, you know, that kind of thing. They may treat you to a cup of tea somewhere, maybe a meal, and suck you in with their Turkish hospitality.

Then they ask you if you fancy a beer. As a newbie to Istanbul, with few friends and a dry throat, you'll probably think it a great idea. He leads you down to a bar, where the batman pours you and your friend a drink. Then a few "Natashas" appear out of nowhere, one sits on your lap, you're enjoying yourself, first day in Istanbul and I've got a beautiful Russian drinking champagne with me, life's good!

Then the bill comes. The bill is so expensive, it's almost artistic - say, 1000-2000 dollars. Everyone looks at you. Some bruisers turn up from round the back. You're frogmarched to the office, where they accept all major credit cards. What, you didn't check the prices on the menu? No wonder the bar was so quiet!

I know this scam has been going for a while but it's really big at the moment. Someone in my flat was stiffed out of 1100 dollars on his first day here two weeks ago. Two other guys were ripped off a few weeks before. Another got away lightly, he only had 20 lira in his pocket, he was quite pleased with himself actually. Only this afternoon a respectable looking man in a cheap suit approached me in the streets asked me for the time. Time you had a watch, mate!

There's one born every minute...don't let it be you.

[justme]

If batman weren't enough, I think a natasha in my lap would tip me off...

[saloma]

When I first got here, a few months back, I met a Taiwanese guy staying in a hostel near my hotel. We chatted and practiced Chinese a bit and found we had mutual friends in Taiwan! He was travelling alone, but we ran into each other from time to time on the street.

He went on a Bospherous tour, met a big, friendly guy named "Mustafa", and went for dinner and then tea afterwards. After the tea, they were walking through a park on the way back to the hotel when this guy started to feel bad, so he sat down on a bench.

Six hours later, the police picked him up in Eminonu, he was laying on the sidewalk, and of course the guy had stolen everythng he had - including his winter coat. He spent 5 days in Turkey - he was supposed to spend 3 weeks.

The people at the hotel said it happens about once a month, and the victims are always Asian.

A friend of mine works in a travel agency and sold a tour to a Japanese girl. The day she was to leave for Capaddocia, someone from the Japanese Embassy brought her in. She had been drugged the night before in Taksim, but she didn't let go of her bag so easily. Two guys dragged down the alley, she had cuts and bruises all over her arms.

This is really crap for tourism in this country. No wonder every Asian who comes here, signs up for a group tour as soon as they get off the plane.

[Baba Alex]

It's too bad man!
First week I was here I ended up in a bar enticed in by a freindly face and a seemingly happy atmosphere. When I got the bill for the drinks, I was shocked and the barman was was rude to the point of being aggressive.
I haven't been to the James Joyce since.

[Otterman Ollie]

Surprisingly it happens here in Izmir I hate being stiffed for drinks even without the female company . Recently a few people I know have returned from Istanbul with tales of how they were mugged on the streets ,happens here too ,does wonders for the tourism industry. Be aware of Turks with smiles and promises of gifts ,or is that the Greeks ?

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

It all makes the 1970's ice-cream sellers of London town look rather tourist friendly ... when a 99 doubled as both product name and price to any unsuspecting foreigner ...



Here's your penny change ...

[yaramaz]

Baba sayeth

[Baba Alex]

[yaramaz]

Nah, I was ignored (which is more boring than irritating)

[Londonlover]

This thread makes a serious and important point about possible dangers to newbies arriving in Turkey (particularly Istanbul) and the fact that no matter how smart you may think you are, it's still possible to fall victim to these scams. The old 'saat kac?' and look of feigned surprise that you aren't Turkish/don't speak Turkish and subsequent 'Where are you from my friend?' routine has been running for years. It's a serious problem and I always feel sorry for the tourists who fall for the seeming warmth and friendly 'hospitality' of these slimey characters.

I think language schools in Istanbul should definitely include warnings about these scams in their induction sessions as often they can result in robbery or physical harm,as highlighted by the more sensible responses to this thread.

The original poster makes a very important and serious point and it's very annoying when the thread is hijacked by a few clowns who are trying to make it into a comedy turn with flippant, idiotic and totally inappropriate comments no-one wants to hear.

Yaramaz and Baba, keep your comedy dialogues to a more appropriate thread or pm each other to your heart's content. They are not needed here.

[Baba Alex]

[yaramaz]

Entrailicus sayeth:

[dmb]

A few years ago there were quite a few stories of foreigners being drugged and waking up missing the odd organ.
about ten years ago an old mate of mine fell for for the scam the op mentions. He was totally trashed, fought his way out and legged it up Istiklal.

[saloma]

The missing organ story is an urban legend....

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/robbery/kidney.asp

[dmb]

Re: the link ^. I don't remember reading anything about the bath tub and to ring 911 (that's 999 to us Baba)
The victims I read about woke up in a door way in SultanAhmet.