Taxi Shifeng Longjing Scam

Taxi Shifeng Longjing scam is a common travel scam. Scammers usually go around tourist attractions in Hangzhou, such as Leifeng Pagoda, West Lake and other places, to defraud tourists of their money.

Here’s how it works: The scammers will find a taxi and convince the driver to take them to scenic spots such as climbing Lion Peak and drinking Longjing tea. After arriving at the scenic spot, the scammer asked to buy some souvenirs such as tea or Suzhou embroidery and asked the tourists to pay. Scammers and taxi drivers will then send tourists to a checkout counter near an attraction and ask tourists to pay exorbitant fares and tea fees, which are often much higher than the normal price. If tourists refuse to pay, they may intimidate or threaten them, and some scammers may even beat them.

In order to avoid becoming a victim of this scam, tourists can take the following measures:

1. Do not trust strangers at will, especially those who come to you.

2. Try to avoid taking unlicensed cars or taxis without clear signs.

3. Before going to the attraction, you should know the normal price of the attraction in order to detect abnormalities.

4. Don’t buy souvenirs casually, especially those valuable items.

5. If you are threatened or intimidated, call the police immediately and record as much information about the scammer as possible.