Tourists visiting Amsterdam have been warned about a new extortion scam in which fraudsters pose as distressed individuals to trick kind-hearted visitors into handing over money. Reports on social media detail encounters where strangers, often appearing visibly upset, approach tourists with a rehearsed story of needing help to return to Centraal Station.
One Reddit user described being targeted by a crying woman who claimed to be Ukrainian and said she had lost her boyfriend. The tourist became suspicious when the woman's story seemed 'weirdly rehearsed' and her phone, which she said was dead, appeared to be working. After cutting off the encounter, the tourist saw the woman approach other visitors with the same tale, and a man believed to be her boyfriend later appeared to usher her away.
Commenters noted this is a variation of common scams in European cities, where tourists are persuaded to pay for 'help' that is not needed. One person recounted a similar experience where a Dutch resident offered to call the police for the woman, which she refused. Another warned that such scams make it difficult to trust anyone in central Amsterdam, even those who genuinely need assistance.
Despite these warnings, some travellers shared positive experiences. One individual bought a transport ticket for someone who claimed to have lost their bank card, and the funds were repaid the next day. The user concluded that not every suspicious story is a scam, and sometimes people simply need help.
Amsterdam remains a popular destination, but city officials have been working to improve its image, including plans to relocate the red light district to a purpose-built 'mega brothel' in the suburbs. The proposed hub aims to provide safer conditions for sex workers while reducing the impact on the historic centre.
