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spandex
Raver
Joined: June 06, 2006
Posts: 464
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
June 05, 2008 - 09:08 PM |
 
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Really sorry to hear that this is STILL going on, see my post from a year ago:-
Posted: June 27, 2007 - 10:51 AM
Post subject: Warn your visitors .....
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I know this has been discussed before but is worth revisiting and reminding visitors to Shanghai, particularly after my experiences of yesterday afternoon.
Those of us who live in Shanghai are probably aware of this scam but a recent visitor who was not was tricked into parting with money.
Beware in and around the areas of Renmin Park, Peoples Square and Nanjing Lu of friendly young Chinese people, many operating as couples but some singles too, usually posing as students who want to practise their English, asking where you're from, how long in Shanghai, where you staying, where have you been, have you experienced the traditional Chinese tea ceremony, etc. They invariably have very good English skills and are very personable.
Never go anywhere with these people. They will guide you to some tearoom, cafe, restaurant and you will be landed with a hefty bill in the hundreds or even thousands of RMB after a small pot of tea and maybe a smaller plate of fruit/nuts.
I spent an hour in Renmin Park and Peoples Square yesterday afternoon. I was approached 5 times by these "friendly" types. It is unfortunate for those who are genuine, nothing wrong with making a bit of small talk but NEVER be pursuaded to go for a drink, for tea, or anywhere with these rogues. I watched dozens of them operating, targetting tourists, when I pretended to be a tourist, after some idle chat, the converation always ended with would you like to see traditional tea ceremony, or on one occasion by 2 friendly, perfect English speaking attractive young ladies, "It's so hot, we're going for a drink, would you like to join us"?
Do remember to warn your visiting friends. |
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If moths like the light so much why do they only come out when its dark? |
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spandex
Raver
Joined: June 06, 2006
Posts: 464
Status: Offline
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June 05, 2008 - 09:24 PM |
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I went to Peoples Square the day I wrote the above after hearing of a friends visitor being ripped off for 500 rmb for a cuppa, she got off lightly but it really pissed me off.
So I went there myself and posed as a tourist and after hearing all of the bullfeces told them what I thought of them and asked them what kind of impression they were giving tourists of China and Chinese people. Water off a ducks back I'm afraid.
But my point was .... if you live here and ever receive visitors, this should be one of the top of your list items to advise them. |
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If moths like the light so much why do they only come out when its dark? |
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andyfff
Rocker
Joined: July 03, 2005
Posts: 635
Status: Offline
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June 05, 2008 - 09:41 PM |
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Telling them what you think of them? Captain Laowai does not bother with such trifle. He applies large amounts of electricity to their genitalia. What kind of impression they are giving? CL chooses to simply turn their photos over to police and post them on the internet. What ho, for sooth! Lo, for as this month draws nigh, Captail Laowai shall come forward and right what has been unrighted. |
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boredengineer
SuperStar
Joined: Oct 17, 2007
Posts: 1344
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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June 05, 2008 - 10:15 PM |
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How about agree to go to the tea ceremony if you get to squeeze some boobies first? |
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Ah Beng
Reacher
Joined: May 14, 2008
Posts: 338
Location: Shanghai Paradise
Status: Offline
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June 05, 2008 - 11:22 PM |
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Wouldn't anyone question these hefty bill that were presented and simply refuse to pay? Just say.."no thanks, I'm fine! Anyone?.." |
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dfoo
Post Roaster
Joined: Jan 19, 2005
Posts: 4140
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 12:38 AM |
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I suspect two large bouncers and pressure tactics are involved. A couple of my friends were ripped off a few years back by a scam in London. They were forced to pay an enormous bill at some shady joint near the end of the night by a few large and angry men. |
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DILLIGAF
Rocker
Joined: Dec 21, 2004
Posts: 764
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 12:58 AM |
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| Ah Beng wrote: |
| Wouldn't anyone question these hefty bill that were presented and simply refuse to pay? Just say.."no thanks, I'm fine! Anyone?.." |
Mate, got balls...???
done a few stunts with mates about the annoying beggars (kicking the **** out of the minders hiding, watching, collecting) and the last time they invited me for a "stupid tea - drink" scam down Nanjing Road, a real classic in the friggin bar... ****'em......
DILLIGAF |
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sanjj
Reacher
Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 282
Location: Vancouver/Shanghai
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 04:19 AM |
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Crazy town. Hope you didn't lose anything valuable.
Thanks for the tip. |
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iara
Veejay
Joined: June 09, 2006
Posts: 2010
Location: brazil-shanghai
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 06:38 AM |
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| boredengineer wrote: |
| iara wrote: |
how do we say "scam"in chinese?
I usually tell tourists when I heard about it, but I would like to say it in chinese also, so the scam girls will know what I'm saying! |
No need, all of the con artists have excellent English. |
I know about their english, but I would like to let all people around them to know that WE know about this scam. So they will loose face in front their own people! |
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I'm my husband slave! always! |
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oh_the_darkness
Fire-eater
Joined: Apr 17, 2008
Posts: 2528
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 08:41 AM |
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We could hand out flyers - English one side, Chinese the other. |
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And you may ask yourself Am I right? ...am I wrong? And you may tell yourself My god!...what have I done? |
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dsugg
Seeker
Joined: Nov 18, 2007
Posts: 74
Location: Shanghai or Toronto
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 10:20 AM |
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This is a great scam. I am sure the victims tell the story 100x over after they return. Surely it is the highlight of the trip and it only cost $100. What a bargain. Of course if you are a youngen you can repay this local tradition with a good ole Laowai tradition - dine and dash. If you are older you can probably afford it. Stop whining. If this is the worst that happens to you on your travels - rejoice. |
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Ah Beng
Reacher
Joined: May 14, 2008
Posts: 338
Location: Shanghai Paradise
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 10:46 AM |
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It's possible they use pressure tatics. If's a scam, so you'll be likely only pressured to part with your money. If they coerce you into paying, they might as well just rob you! Why waste time trying to set-up a scam?
If you suspect you're a victim of a scam, just don't pay! Tell them you have no money, and let them call 110 to settle it. But on the other hand, if they insist and threaten with violence, that's robbery.
And if you're being rob at "knifepoint" at the teahouse, do what you're taught to do! Scream for help, give them what they want or defend yourself.. 5 minutes you're out, you can always go back with the police to dust for evidence for a robbery instead of a scam!
And if you've DILLIGAF's balls, aim and toss at their blooddy faces.. You've got about 20 shots..  |
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yu888
Board Deity
Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 17386
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH
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June 06, 2008 - 11:07 AM |
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^ you REALLY ARE new here, aren't you? These migrant staff that would be used to "take care of you" would be gone in a flash. By the time you and your broken kneecaps got back to report it, none of the staff would corroborate your story or have an eloborate lie ready AND the police that come with you, who they drionk with every night will shake his head and take you away. You don't seriously think the local police are not aware of these places do you? they have been around for longer than I have been...heck, probably even longer than Pablo or UnderHo.
I agree with Spandex though that the FIRST thing to do is prevent our visitors from getting scammed. Afterwards, we should still report it, as you may get some of the money back, but chances of any major change is slim. |
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Thoughts & updates about Shanghai On my Blog for more details:Random Thoughts about Living in Shanghai...and more |
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oxymoron
Lurker
Joined: May 31, 2008
Posts: 28
Location: Irvine, CA
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 11:54 AM |
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One of my artist friend fell for the "art gallery scam" when he first visited Shanghai a couple years ago. He paid 300rmb for a cup of tea but didn't even realize that it was a scam. He told me about this nice old couple who showed him an Chinese art gallery and offered a cup of tea. He was under the impression that it was just a damn expensive tea. 
This sort of scam truly is global, though. In 92, I fell for the "mango juice" scam in London myself. Another friend of mine paid over $200 for a glass of cocktail in Paris. |
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underh20
Board Royalty
Joined: Sep 27, 2006
Posts: 7755
Location: EOA Seminar
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June 06, 2008 - 02:43 PM |
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| yu888 wrote: |
^ you REALLY ARE new here, aren't you? These migrant staff that would be used to "take care of you" would be gone in a flash. By the time you and your broken kneecaps got back to report it, none of the staff would corroborate your story or have an eloborate lie ready AND the police that come with you, who they drionk with every night will shake his head and take you away. You don't seriously think the local police are not aware of these places do you? they have been around for longer than I have been...heck, probably even longer than Pablo or UnderHo.
I agree with Spandex though that the FIRST thing to do is prevent our visitors from getting scammed. Afterwards, we should still report it, as you may get some of the money back, but chances of any major change is slim. |
Yu is, obviously correct.
Their major skill is in picking a victim who will not put up a fight. I bet a couple of us could get together and out scam those scammers.  |
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بارك الله ، بارك الله |
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Dasher
Seeker
Joined: Aug 28, 2007
Posts: 68
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 02:48 PM |
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Good news- I got my bag back! Minus all the money of course. It looks like they grabbed the bag and took all the money then threw the bag away, which is great news for me as I got my passport, wallet etc back! I had already started filling out emergency passport forms as I'm flying out in a week. I'm so happy and so lucky!
Ps. after talking to my local cops it appears this is a somewhat common method of theft, so don't be naive like me and fall for it! |
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lababillarde
Rocker
Joined: May 26, 2005
Posts: 683
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 03:09 PM |
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May I copy this excerpt to my blog? I should warn my friends about that. I'm an Asian, so I never encountered such things since settling in this ***********place for more than half a decade.
Lemme try to disguise myself as a Japanese with some cameras and tripods, and some Japanese suitcases and a straw hat.
and Vol, I shall be grateful if you can keep us update on what happened later after you reported to the police. |
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Swiss-James
Veejay
Joined: Jan 05, 2007
Posts: 2091
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 03:19 PM |
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YudaRego
Lurker
Joined: Feb 16, 2008
Posts: 35
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 03:31 PM |
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In London we have these guys who stand around all day downtown with big signs for "golf sales" just do the same, only advertising the "Con". |
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mikegee
Seeker
Joined: Apr 09, 2004
Posts: 74
Location: GZ
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 03:44 PM |
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| MoonOverMiami wrote: |
| IIRC last year the two French tourists got scammed for RMB7,000. They complained to a newpaper, the police picked up the story, they all went to the restaurant and found the people responsible for charging them excessively. The police shut the place down (though I don't know for how long) and was able to get most if not all of their money back. |
it seems it's the same story in this video report : http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_ca00XNjEzMzcyNA==.html
They have recorded the scam, so it's probably the reason why the police came. |
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Freelance French Web~designer : www.supadezign.com |
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Adimnistrator
Raver
Joined: July 20, 2007
Posts: 454
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 04:25 PM |
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I vaguely remember 7~8 years ago, when I still had time to go for a walk, at Nanjing Rd several times a girl tried to invite me to art gallery. I had no idea it is a scam I always rejected because I expected they will try to sell me some shiat. Also they never were attractive enough to make me go just because of the girl, luckily.. |
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I talk to Chingis every day!
He is my Kiwi bartender |
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oh_the_darkness
Fire-eater
Joined: Apr 17, 2008
Posts: 2528
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 06:51 PM |
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| underh20 wrote: |
| I bet a couple of us could get together and out scam those scammers. |
I am so up for this...
It would be a very simple and easy operation to do too. |
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underh20
Board Royalty
Joined: Sep 27, 2006
Posts: 7755
Location: EOA Seminar
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June 06, 2008 - 07:01 PM |
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| oh_the_darkness wrote: |
| underh20 wrote: |
| I bet a couple of us could get together and out scam those scammers. |
I am so up for this...
It would be a very simple and easy operation to do too. |
Great!
I'll be back home in a week and we'll plan the whole thing out. It should be real easy and hopefully before the cops show they'll try some strong-arm tactics that justify using the minimum amount of force necessary to defend ourselves.
We need someone to video this whole episode. Anybody up to making a video that we can later post on YouTube? |
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بارك الله ، بارك الله |
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andyfff
Rocker
Joined: July 03, 2005
Posts: 635
Status: Offline
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June 06, 2008 - 07:22 PM |
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I am also in. Oh man, I have always wanted to taser somebody... maybe some old ladies? |
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boredengineer
SuperStar
Joined: Oct 17, 2007
Posts: 1344
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
June 06, 2008 - 07:48 PM |
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Please try to ask for some boobie squeezes before u agree to go to the tea house |
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