Scam patterns + 1330
Health, safety & support

Scam patterns — the foreigner field guide

18 scam patterns reported by travellers in Korea. Each has the red flags you can spot 5 seconds in, the Korean phrase to use, the evidence to capture, and where to report it.

✨ In depth · only here
Tourist Scam Alerts — Hotspot Field Guide

Common taxi, money-exchange and nightlife scams in tourist areas — and the counter-move for each.

As of 2026-10-10

First — save these now

  • KakaoMap or Naver Map your routeFor every taxi: pre-set destination + view estimated time. Driver sees you have it; takes the right road.
  • Use Kakao T app (not street hail) when possibleThe trip, driver and route are recorded in the app, which gives you the evidence a complaint needs.
  • Eat where Koreans eatNo English menu out front = local-priced + authentic. Tourist-saturated streets often have parallel "Korean menu" cheaper.
  • Refuse "free" anything from strangersReal Korean monks / nuns / fortune-tellers don't solicit on the street. "Free" anything from a stranger = pull-in.
  • Get receipt from EVERYTHINGWithout a receipt, recovery is hard. Many shops only print one if you ask — say "영수증 주세요" (yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo).
  • Check exchange rate before walking inLook up the mid-market rate first (Wise / Revolut / any currency app) and ask for the amount you will actually receive after fees.
  • 1330 saved to favorites NOWBefore any incident. Open 07:00–midnight Korean time every day in English, Japanese and Chinese; Russian, Vietnamese, Thai and Malay/Indonesian 08:00–19:00. After midnight, for a crime dial 112 — English and Chinese interpreters 24h. From abroad: +82-2-1330.
  • Don't carry > ₩100,000 cashLower exposure. ATMs accept most foreign cards — withdraw as needed.

18 patterns — filter + sort + search

18 results

"Free art exhibition" → high-pressure painting sale

🖼 Gallery / "art"
☆☆☆ High

A "student" / "Buddhist monk" offers a free gallery tour. You're shown traditional paintings → quoted ₩300k–₩2M for "blessed" or "donation" works. Aggressive social pressure to commit.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Insadong main street
  • • Bukchon side alleys
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Approached on the street by someone offering free entry
  • ⚠ "Donation" language
  • ⚠ Wood-tapping fortune-teller variant
In the moment
Polite "No thank you," walk away. Do NOT enter even just to look. Once inside, social pressure makes it harder to refuse.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of the storefront if you wish to report

Report to: 1330 (or the tourist complaint desk at touristcomplaint.or.kr).

Typical loss: ₩300,000–2,000,000

Secondary-market K-pop tickets — counterfeit

💻 Online / ticketing
☆☆☆ High

Stranger offers a sold-out concert ticket below face. Pays via Wise. Receives PDF — ticket doesn't scan at the door, seller blocks you.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Twitter / Bluesky DMs
  • • Telegram K-pop trade channels
  • • Generic ticket-resale sites
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Below-face price
  • ⚠ Account < 3 months old
  • ⚠ PDF "preview" but won't share original purchaser proof
In the moment
Don't pay. Buy only from the official seller named in the show notice (e.g. NOL World, the former Interpark Global). See /kpop-ticketing.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Screenshots of the entire DM thread

Report to: Your payment provider straight away, the police where you live, and — if the seller is in Korea — the police cyber-crime report site ecrm.police.go.kr.

Typical loss: ₩100,000–1,000,000

Taxi driver refuses to start the meter

🚕 Taxi
☆☆ Medium

Driver quotes a flat fare ("60,000 won OK?") and refuses to flip the meter. Final fare ends up 2–4× metered rate. Common after midnight + at airport sidewalks. In Seoul the meter itself adds a legal late-night surcharge (20% for 22:00–23:00 and 02:00–04:00, 40% for 23:00–02:00) — a higher meter at night is normal; a negotiated price is not.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Myeongdong
  • • Gangnam (after midnight)
  • • Itaewon outside clubs
  • • Incheon T1 international taxi pirates
Red flags:
  • ⚠ No meter visible on dash
  • ⚠ Driver insists "no meter — fixed price"
  • ⚠ Car calls itself an "International Taxi" but refuses both the meter and a published flat fare
In the moment
Say firmly: "미터기 켜주세요 (mi-teo-gi kyeo-ju-se-yo) — Please use the meter." If refused, exit immediately. Don't argue.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of taxi plate (front + back)
  • 📸 Photo of driver ID card on dash
  • 📸 Note time + start/end locations

Report to: Call 1330 or Seoul's 120 Dasan line (02-120, press 9 for English on weekdays 09:00–18:00). Give the plate number — penalties are issued by the city/district office that licensed the driver, and 120 routes the complaint there.

Typical loss: ₩20,000–100,000

Fake "International Taxi" at airport curb

🚕 Taxi
☆☆ Medium

A driver waits at the arrivals door, says "taxi, this way" and leads you past the official taxi stands to a private car or call van, then names a price well above the meter. Incheon Airport itself warns that call vans posing as taxis solicit and overcharge.

Where you'll see it:
  • • ICN T1/T2 arrival exits
  • • Gimpo airport sidewalks
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Approached inside the terminal, BEFORE you reach a marked taxi stand
  • ⚠ Walked to a car park instead of the kerbside stand
  • ⚠ Price named before you get in, no meter
In the moment
Walk away. At Incheon, take a taxi only from the numbered stands on 1F (T1: 4C International Taxi, 5C/6C/6D to Seoul; T2: 1C International Taxi, 5C to Seoul).
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of vehicle from a safe distance

Report to: 1330 + Incheon Airport customer service 1577-2600 (07:00–22:00).

Typical loss: ₩30,000–80,000

Two menus — "tourist" prices vs Korean prices

🍽 Restaurant
☆☆ Medium

Restaurant shows you an English menu with higher prices than the Korean menu posted at the door. Common at "tourist-targeting" restaurants — not at chain BBQ or Korean-locals favorites.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Myeongdong tourist alleys
  • • Hongdae main strip
  • • Insadong
Red flags:
  • ⚠ English menu price > street-front Korean price
  • ⚠ No Korean menu visible inside
  • ⚠ Tout outside pulling you in
In the moment
Ask to see the Korean menu: "한국어 메뉴 보여주세요 (hangugeo menu boyeo-ju-se-yo)." Compare. If different prices, leave.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of both menus side-by-side

Report to: 1330 + leave a negative review on Naver Place (Korean fans will support).

Typical loss: ₩10,000–50,000

"Buddhist monk" wants a donation for a blessing

🎭 Street hustle
☆☆ Medium

A figure in monk robes places a card / wristband in your hand and asks for a "blessing donation" ₩10–50k. Real Korean monks do NOT solicit on the street.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Insadong
  • • Gyeongbokgung area
  • • Jongno-3-ga underground
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Wristband placed in hand without asking
  • ⚠ Pushy follow-up if you walk away
In the moment
Return the item. Real monks don't fundraise this way.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of the figure from a safe distance

Report to: 1330 + 112 (police).

Typical loss: ₩10,000–50,000

Fortune-teller "you have bad luck" upsell

🎭 Street hustle
☆☆ Medium

Approaches with a "free" reading → "you have bad luck → only my charm will fix it" → ₩50–200k for a "lucky charm."

Where you'll see it:
  • • Hongdae main strip
  • • Itaewon nighttime
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Approached unsolicited
  • ⚠ Heavy emphasis on a curse / bad luck
  • ⚠ Premium charm price quoted
In the moment
Walk away. Don't engage. Korean fortune-tellers have shops; they don't hunt foreigners on the street.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Walk away — no photo needed

Report to: 1330 if persistent or aggressive.

Typical loss: ₩50,000–200,000

Itaewon nighttime "card game" hustle

🎭 Street hustle
☆☆ Medium

Card or shell game played on the street — bystanders + dealer are confederates. Foreigners win once → lose progressively higher bets.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Itaewon back alleys after 02:00
  • • Hongdae alleys
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Game set up on a folding table
  • ⚠ Crowd "winning" while you watch
  • ⚠ Pressure to "give it a try"
In the moment
Keep walking. Never engage. This is theft theater.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 None — leave

Report to: 1330 + 112.

Typical loss: ₩100,000–1,000,000

"Date" steers you to inflated-bill bar

💔 Romance
☆☆ Medium

Match (often Tinder/Bumble) you to a bar of their choosing. The bar charges 5–10× normal — drinks ₩100k+. You + match split bill that match never intended to pay.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Itaewon nightclub vicinity
  • • Hongdae bars after midnight
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Match insists on a SPECIFIC bar
  • ⚠ Bar has no menu prices visible
  • ⚠ Match disappears before bill
In the moment
Suggest a chain café first. Refuse bars without visible menu prices. Pay only your own drinks.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Match's profile screenshot + bar receipt

Report to: 1330 + 112.

Typical loss: ₩100,000–500,000

Hanbok / car rental "damage" surprise

📦 Rental
☆☆ Medium

Returning the rental, the staff finds "damage" not previously noted. ₩50–300k surcharge demanded.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Some Bukchon/Gyeongbokgung hanbok shops
  • • Lower-tier rental cars
Red flags:
  • ⚠ No pre-rental inspection photos by the staff
  • ⚠ Damage logged AFTER you leave the shop
In the moment
BEFORE renting: photograph every angle with timestamps. Ask staff to sign + initial the photos.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Pre-rental photos with timestamps

Report to: 1330 + the 1372 consumer counselling line (Korea Consumer Agency).

Typical loss: ₩50,000–300,000

Resold tour-package with no operator confirmation

🚌 Tour resell
☆☆ Medium

Street promoter sells "discount" DMZ tour for cash. On the day, no shuttle arrives — name not in operator's manifest.

Where you'll see it:
  • • DMZ / Nami tour curb-side promoters in Hongdae
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Cash-only
  • ⚠ No confirmation email
  • ⚠ Operator name vague
In the moment
Book Paju City's DMZ Peace Tour (tickets sold at Imjingak) or through a platform that issues a written confirmation. Refuse street-sold tours.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Voucher (likely fake)
  • 📸 Photo of the promoter

Report to: 1330 (tourist complaint desk) + 112 if you paid a stranger in cash.

Typical loss: ₩40,000–200,000

Taxi takes the long way around

🚕 Taxi
☆ Low

Driver detours via expressway (extra toll) or scenic loop. Add ₩5–15k to the legit fare. Subtle — easy to miss without a map.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Anywhere in Seoul if you look confused
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Your KakaoMap route estimates 25 min, meter runs 45 min
  • ⚠ Tolls on receipt when route shouldn't have toll
In the moment
Show your phone with the KakaoMap or Naver Map route. Say: "이 길로 가주세요 (i gil-lo ga-ju-se-yo) — Please take this way."
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Screenshot of route taken (via Kakao T history) vs expected

Report to: 1330, or Seoul's 120 Dasan line (02-120) with the plate number and receipt.

Typical loss: ₩5,000–25,000

Banchan (side dishes) marked as extras

🍽 Restaurant
☆ Low

Side dishes (banchan) are normally free + refillable in real Korean restaurants. Some tourist spots list them as ₩3–5k each on the bill.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Tourist-targeted Korean restaurants in Myeongdong / Insadong
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Server brings 7+ sides without asking
  • ⚠ Bill includes line items "small dish ₩3,000 × 5"
In the moment
At a real Korean restaurant, banchan are 무료 (mu-ryo, free). Ask before sitting: "반찬 무료에요? (ban-chan mu-ryo-e-yo?)"
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of itemized bill
  • 📸 Photo of the side dishes received

Report to: 1330 + Naver review.

Typical loss: ₩10,000–30,000

Service charge added — but Korea doesn't tip

🍽 Restaurant
☆ Low

A 10% "service charge" appears on the bill. Korean restaurants must show the final price — VAT and any service charge included — on the menu, so a charge that was not in the listed price can be disputed.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Some Itaewon expat-facing restaurants
  • • Hotel bars
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Bill has "service charge" line
  • ⚠ No prior notice on the menu
In the moment
Politely point to the menu price and ask for the charge to be removed. Photograph the menu and the bill either way.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of the printed menu (no service-charge mention) + photo of the bill

Report to: 1330 + Naver review.

Typical loss: ₩3,000–15,000

Exchange booth advertises great rate, charges high fee

💵 Exchange / cash
☆ Low

Whiteboard shows 1,400 KRW/USD but on the receipt you're charged 4–8% "commission" hidden in the printed rate.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Myeongdong informal booths
  • • Dongdaemun late-night booths
Red flags:
  • ⚠ No printed receipt offered
  • ⚠ Hand-written rate, machine refuses receipt
  • ⚠ Rate near unrealistic mid-market
In the moment
Always ask: "Show me the actual rate I'll receive after all fees." Walk if vague.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of the advertised rate + photo of the receipt

Report to: 1330. Licensed money changers are on a register kept by the Korea Customs Service — note the booth's name and address so the complaint can be matched to it.

Typical loss: ₩10,000–50,000

Counterfeit ₩50,000 received as change

💵 Exchange / cash
☆ Low

You pay a large bill (₩100k), get ₩50k change that's counterfeit. Real Korean bills have a hologram strip + watermark visible against light.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Tourist-area exchange booths
  • • Rural taxi drivers (rare)
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Bill feels wrong texture (too smooth)
  • ⚠ Watermark missing / weak
In the moment
At point of change: hold up to light immediately. If suspect, refuse + ask for redo.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Keep the suspect bill, photograph it.

Report to: 112 (police). A bank branch can tell you whether a note is genuine.

Typical loss: ₩50,000

Naver "blogger collab" pay-for-coverage scam

💻 Online / ticketing
☆ Low

Korean "agency" offers your blog a free hotel + tour. After arrival: hidden fees for "promotion management" + your "agreed" sponsorship.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Email outreach to foreign travel bloggers
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Unsolicited from a Gmail address (not corporate domain)
  • ⚠ Vague itinerary
  • ⚠ No upfront contract
In the moment
Ignore the email. Do not reply. Real KTO / brand outreach uses corporate domains and includes a written brief upfront.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Email screenshots

Report to: If you lost money: the police cyber-crime report site ecrm.police.go.kr, or 112. Otherwise just ignore it.

Typical loss: ₩200,000–500,000

Day-tour adds mandatory shopping stops

🚌 Tour resell
☆ Low

Listed as "5 stops"; on the day, 3 of 5 are shopping stops for ginseng / amethyst / cosmetics. 2 hours wasted, no refund.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Cheaper Nami / DMZ packages
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Tour < $50 USD when comparable is $80+
  • ⚠ No "no shopping stop" guarantee in description
In the moment
Refuse to enter the shop. Wait on the bus.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Original listing screenshot + actual itinerary

Report to: 1330 + the booking platform's own refund claim — what it pays back depends on its policy.

If you got hit — 5-step reporting flow

  1. 1
    Capture evidence immediately
    Photos, video, receipts, screenshots. Time-stamped if possible (use phone). Don't confront — capture first.
  2. 2
    Call 1330 from your phone
    It answers 07:00–midnight Korean time, every day. Choose your language (English, Japanese, Chinese; Russian, Vietnamese, Thai and Malay/Indonesian 08:00–19:00). The KTO operator explains your options, interprets, and connects you to the agency concerned.
  3. 3
    File police report at any 지구대 (precinct)
    For high-value losses or crimes, or dial 112 (English and Chinese interpreters 24h). Bring your evidence and ask for a written confirmation for your insurer.
  4. 4
    File with the Tourist Complaint Center (online)
    touristcomplaint.or.kr — KTO's complaint desk, also reachable through 1330. It relays your complaint to the business or authority concerned and replies with the outcome.
  5. 5
    Notify your travel insurance
    Send the police confirmation and receipts as early as you can — deadlines and what is covered differ by policy.
📞 Call 1330 now📞 Police 112Full emergency guide →

See also

EmergencyCan I pay with my card?K-pop ticketing how-toDMZ tour matrix