5. Fake Buddhist monks in New York and Boston
This is one of those major travel scams that you can find all over the world, from Asia to America. However, Boston and New York City seem to be among the favorite places to strike for scammers who turn to this trick.
They dress as Buddhist monks and stand outside major attractions. Similar to scams at the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, the monks will give you a “free” gift. These may be bracelets, medallions, or beads.
Then, they will ask for a donation in exchange for the gift, which obviously leaves most people in an awkward position. You probably wouldn’t want to be the person who refused to donate to the monks. So most tourists will pony up, even if they have a feeling that these monks aren’t so holy.
Similar to other major travel scams, it’s best to refuse any “gift” right from the start.
