With the Olympics approaching everyone is out trying to make a buck - including the scammers who target tourists visiting China. You don’t have to be paranoid, China is a safe place to travel, but it does help if you know about these scams. Don’t expect the police to help much if you get scammed, as they may even be on it themselves.

1. Forged currency

China is fairly rife with forged bank notes. In every shop you go to 100 and sometimes 50 yuan notes will be put through machines to detect their authenticity. It is fairly unlikely that you will receive one from a bank or large store, but it is a good idea to know how to check for a fake. The line down the center is one way of checking, but sometimes even forged notes will have this. On real notes, in the bottom left corner the 100 will change color when tilted in the light. On a fake note the color doesn’t change.

2. Forged currency change scam

The forged currency change scam works like this. In popular tourist areas, a foreigner buys some postcards or other trinkets from a street vendor. The tourist pays and receives their change. Moments later the vendor will run after the tourist saying the note was a fake and ask to be paid again. The vendor switches the note and hands back a fake one. Always try to keep some small change on you for making small purchases.

3. Tea house scam

This is one of the most popular scams in Beijing. Most foreigners think they would never get scammed, but on any China related travel forum every second day, you will read how people who fell for the tea house scam. It works like this: young Chinese male or female “students” will approach you in popular tourist areas asking if they can practice their English. After the usual “where are you from” type questions, they will then suggest going to a tea house, where they will order exorbitantly priced drinks and food. When the bill arrives you new friend won’t have a penny on them and will be heading for the door.

Another variation is at night in entertainment areas, guys will be approached with offers of a massage or to meet girls. They will then be taken to a KTV bar where for a few drinks the bill quickly runs to several hundred dollars.

4. Art gallery scam

Similar to the tea house scam, but you will be taken to an art gallery and coerced into buying over-priced paintings or fakes.

5. Fake liquor/cigarettes

China is still a fairly cheap country but if prices are too good to be true, then you are probably buying a fake product. This is fine if you can wear the product, but when it comes to alcohol or cigarettes you could suffer some serious side-effects. Some bars have even been known to serve fake alcohol. If a drink doesn’t taste like it should, send it back or change bars.

6. Unlicensed taxis and pedicabs

Around hotels and tourist spots you will find cyclo or pedicab drivers. While it might seem like a quaint way to see Beijing, it could turn into an expensive trip. Make sure you agree to a price beforehand. Sometimes people will think the fare is 30 yuan but the driver later demands 300 yuan. A trip with an unlicensed taxi, might seem cheap at first, but it could cost you a lot more in the end. Always ride in proper licensed taxis and insist on using the meter. Drivers are now required to issue you with an automated receipt, so if there is any trouble later you can track down the cab.