Dutch Police have confimed that there is an increasing problem with criminals posing as plain clothes police officers and asking their victims to prove their identity with the passports, credit cards and other documentation.

In some instances victim are subject to personal searches. During these incidents personal items including credit card, money and passports have been stolen. The fake policeman often produce police badges. As Dutch policeman don't carry such badges and rarely stop tourist dressed in plain clothes you should be cvery cautious if approached in this way. If you are not convinced by the legality of the person who has stopped you ring 0900-8844 & ask for the local police

Incidents of individuals, especially women having their drinks spiked in the centre of Amsterdam seem to be increased. Do not leave your drink unattended at any time and you may end up being robbed or raped. If you are worried that your drink has been spiked ask for medical help immediately and do do not leave the bar or club alone.

 

 

Tourist Traps In Amsterdam

Some of the Coffee shops (see euromost article) are establishmentd which sell overpriced drinks and highly priced inferior cannabis. The Bulldog chain of shops is one particular chain that is to be avoided. It seems to target tourists and is rarely used by locals. Others with a bad reputation include the Grasshopper shops and La Canna.

Even more foolish is to buy would be drugs of street pedlars who often have quantities of talcum powder and herbs that they are looking to get rid of.

Balletje Balletje' (ball ball) is a fixed gambling game /scam aimed at tourists especially those in the red light district. A ball is placed under one of three caps or cups and the caps are then shuffled. The tourist is then asked to gamble on which container the ball is in. Even if he guesses correctly when the container is lifted the ball is removed by the exhibitors hand at the speed of light. The gambler cannot win. This scam is also found in Barcelona.

When you cleared customs and immigration at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport you may be approached by indviduals offering you special rates to take you by taxi to your hotel in Amsterdam. These characters will usher you to an unlicensed taxis which will take you on the scenic route to the city centre. The scenic route often includes a tour of industrial estates. The price you were quoted will be forgotten and the driver will demand forty or fifty euros for a journey that would have cost you approximately €2 by train.

A similiar scam is the practice by dubious hoteliers to get their agents to approach when you arrive at places like Amsterdam Centraal Station. These agents will take you to a nearby hotel having quoted you an 'unbelievable' deal. When you check in the bill is likely to be two or three times higher than the quote.

Many visitors to Amsterdam who visit the 'Holland Experience' and Madame Tussads leave with the feeling that they have been ripped off an emotion also shared by those who use the cafes that in the cities main squares.