Vietnam forum

Scam going on at the moment in Saigon.

Madfire

newbie
Posts: 1

Posted from within Vietnam.

My first post on travelfish !!

The day i arrived i randomly met another traveler who told me about another (naive) traveler who got invited to a Vietnamese house to teach one of their kids something on the computer.. and you guess the rest of the story.. there was no kids.. it turned bad and the guy did end up at an ATM withdrawing a shitload of cash for his Viet "friends". I suppose this kind of stuff is not rare, and people dont brag about it when it happens to them..

Anyway, today (march 14th 2010) i was walking across the park in front of Pham Ngu Lao (backpacker area) and got interpelled by two womens who wanted to help me because i had some problems with my map... I wont get into the details, but it was the same kind of invitation as i wrote in the other story... They wanted to offer me transportation first to the Reunification Palace (5min of walk) and also wanted me to meet one of their kids. And as i was (politely) leaving it was getting obvious that there was something wrong with them...

Take care !!

#1 Posted: 15/3/2010 - 01:40
daawgon

adventurer
Posts: 500

This all sounds very familiar! I was approached by similar "friends" in 2008 in the area, but my better judgment told me that something was up, and I declined to accept their invitations. I was never approached by such scammers elsewhere in Vietnam, and it's one of the reasons I urge others to avoid Saigon (especially for the naive in this world!)

#2 Posted: 16/3/2010 - 04:17
DLuek

adventurer
Posts: 404

Yeah, that Pham Ngu Lao strip is a magnet for sketchy folks - best thing is to ignore any offer of any kind whatsoever.

#3 Posted: 16/3/2010 - 11:27
Husko

flashpacker
Posts: 33

I am lucky not to have this scam tried on me but just want to say that there are students or just young Vietnamese who do approach westeners in the that park near PNG, but just to practice their English. I once started a conversation with one such person whilst sitting on a bench and ended up with 5 or 6 keen "students" wanting to ask me everything about my trip, my work, my home, it did get a bit full on as they were enthusiastic but no drama when I said I really had to go. So not all these people are looking to scam you - obviously if you get an offer to come home etc that is a different thing. BTW, I think Saigon is fantastic and would go there anytime and I would never avoid it, even if a bit naive. It takes a little time to get used to, but after that it is great!!!

#4 Posted: 16/3/2010 - 14:46
Lawoat

tourist
Posts: 59

I have had a same experience as Husko but in the mekong delta. A young student just walked up to us and started a conversation in English. I admired the young guy; just walking up to a bunch of 5 foreigners and starting a conversation, I don't see myself doing it in all fairness.

We even tried to persuade him to go and have a drink with us, but he politely declined our offer ;-)

#5 Posted: 16/3/2010 - 19:14
daawgon

adventurer
Posts: 500

I urge all travelers going to Saigon to hook up with Saigon Hotpot for their free tours

http://www.saigonhotpot.com

#6 Posted: 17/3/2010 - 02:16
69bertie

beach masseuse
Posts: 90

Posted from within Vietnam.

You'll find it quite common for Vietnamese students to practice their English with foreigners - they are literally told to go find some. Most will have only heard their tutor speaking to them in English or they have practiced with one another. As one told me, they can walk around for hours before a foreigner will talk with them.

You'll also be amazed what subjects you end up talking about. Most will have pen and paper if the English needs explaining. Simple words go a long way. You'll also find they never argue if you suddenly decide you have to go. They will just thank you and wish that you enjoy Vietnam. However, they will never, ever invite you to their home. That should be a number 1 warning sign.

I too had a man come up to me (not far from 23/9 park, here in Saigon) saying his daughter (a nurse) was going to the UK etc etc. Yeah, right on! Needless to say I didn't get involved.

#7 Posted: 17/3/2010 - 21:37
luvmedic

backpacker
Posts: 12
Located in:

a reason to travel at least in pairs?

#8 Posted: 18/3/2010 - 08:51