Tourist scams come in many forms, from pickpocketing on crowded streets to fraud involving rides booked through Uber. Security experts are now warning of another method that is spreading across several countries: criminals impersonating police officers to steal money, passports and valuables.
One of the most common tactics is to stop tourists under the pretext of checking their documents or passports, or to claim they are investigating counterfeit banknotes. Such incidents can happen almost anywhere, even just a few steps from an airport or a genuine police station.
So how can travelers tell the difference between a real police officer and a fake one? There are several clear warning signs. The person's uniform may not meet official standards or may appear untidy. The impostors may also seem nervous or paranoid, repeatedly looking around out of fear that a real police officer could arrive, according to Travel + Leisure magazine.
If a vehicle is involved, it may be missing official decals, emblems or identification markings. When in doubt, ask to see an official police identification card, as well as the officer's name and the phone number of a supervisor or station commander.
Travelers are also advised to do some brief research before leaving for their vacation. Start by reading the Israeli Foreign Ministry's travel advisories, which provide extensive information on safety and security. Hotels also have an interest in protecting their guests, so travelers should speak with the hotel manager or another member of the management team and ask whether similar incidents have occurred in the area or whether there are any local trends they should know about.
It is also worth conducting a brief online search to learn what police uniforms and official police vehicles look like in the destination country, and to save the direct phone numbers of local police stations in advance.
One final tip may help in the event of a robbery: Carry a second wallet as a "decoy wallet." When traveling in an area where police impersonation scams may occur, consider carrying an extra wallet containing old documents that are no longer in use, such as expired membership cards, an expired credit card or an old identity card, along with several $20 bills.
If someone pulls out a gun or another weapon and demands your money, do not try to be a hero. Simply hand over the wallet you prepared in advance. Then leave the area quickly. If you are in a vehicle, drive away; if you are on foot, make your way as soon as possible to a well-lit public place.
