How Scammers Divert Tourists from Legitimate Attractions

Picture this: You’re excited to visit the Eiffel Tower, but as you approach, a friendly local stops you. “So sorry, it’s closed today for cleaning. But I know a special viewpoint nearby that’s even better!”

This classic bait-and-switch is one of the oldest tricks in the book, yet tourists fall for it every single day.

Scammers hang around popular attractions wearing something that looks vaguely official – maybe a lanyard or a clipboard – and they wait for confused-looking tourists. They’ll approach with confidence and deliver the bad news: the attraction you’ve traveled thousands of miles to see is temporarily closed.

The excuses are creative and constantly evolving:

• “There’s a private event today”
• “Morning cleaning until 2pm”
• “Staff strike, but should reopen tomorrow”
• “Water damage being repaired”
• “Security threat, closed until further notice”

What makes these scams so effective is they play on your disappointment and then immediately offer a solution. The scammer conveniently knows an alternative spot, a “special local exhibition,” or can offer a “rare opportunity” to see something usually closed to the public.

The hook? They’ll personally take you there – for a “small fee,” of course.

I met a family in Barcelona who spent €60 each on a “special Gaudí exhibition” after being told La Sagrada Familia was closed for a religious ceremony. Spoiler alert: the cathedral was open, and the “exhibition” was a gift shop with some Gaudí postcards.

These scammers are particularly active during peak tourist seasons. They target landmarks with predictable lines or entry procedures where tourists might already expect some kind of disruption or delay.

Official Sources to Verify Attraction Operating Hours

The simplest way to avoid this scam? Verify, verify, verify.

Never trust random people on the street about attraction closures. Instead:

Check official websites before your visit. Most major attractions update their websites with accurate hours, special closures, or modified schedules. Bookmark these sites before your trip or take screenshots of operating hours.

Call the official phone number. If you’re already out and about, a quick phone call can confirm if an attraction is truly closed. Save these numbers in your contacts before traveling.

Visit official tourist information centers. These staffed offices exist specifically to help tourists navigate the city and provide accurate information. They’re usually marked with an “i” symbol and staffed by government employees.

Check social media accounts. Many attractions post real-time updates about unexpected closures or changes on their official Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook accounts.

Hotel concierge services. Your hotel staff typically have up-to-date information about major attractions and can verify operating hours for you.

During a trip to Rome, I was told the Vatican Museums were closed for a “special papal event.” Instead of taking the stranger’s word, I pulled up the official Vatican website on my phone. Lo and behold, they were open as scheduled. The would-be scammer quickly disappeared when I showed him the screen.

Pro tip: Download offline maps of your destination city before traveling. Mark official tourist information centers on the map so you can easily find them if you need to verify information while out exploring.

Recognizing Unauthorized “Tour Guides” Who Approach You on the Street

Legitimate tour guides rarely approach tourists randomly on the street. They’re too busy leading their pre-booked tours. Here’s how to spot the fakes:

They approach you first. Real guides don’t need to solicit business on the sidewalk. If someone approaches you offering tours or special access, your scam radar should immediately ping.

Vague credentials. Authentic guides carry proper identification, usually displayed prominently. Ask to see official ID or licensing – if they become evasive or show something that looks homemade, walk away.

Pressure tactics. Lines like “this offer is only available today” or “I’m doing this special tour just this once” are classic high-pressure sales techniques. Legitimate attractions don’t operate this way.

Cash only. If they insist on cash payment up front with no receipt, that’s a major red flag. Legitimate operations offer multiple payment options and provide proper documentation.

Too good to be true offers. “Skip the line,” “secret entrance,” or “exclusive access” promises from random street solicitors almost always lead to disappointment or outright fraud.

Overly friendly or insistent behavior. While genuine hospitality exists, someone who won’t take no for an answer or who follows you after you decline is displaying concerning behavior.

I once watched a group of fake “guides” outside the Colosseum in Rome rotate through different stories throughout the day. In the morning, they claimed the monument was closed for cleaning. By afternoon, their story changed to “ticket office closed, but I have special access.” Their inconsistency is a telltale sign of the scam in action.

Apps and Resources That Provide Real-Time Attraction Information

Technology has made it easier than ever to protect yourself from these scams. Here are the digital tools worth downloading before your trip:

Official attraction apps. Many major tourist sites now have their own apps with real-time updates about hours, closures, and ticket availability. The Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and many other world-class destinations offer free apps with this information.

Google Maps. Beyond navigation, Google displays operating hours for most attractions and often shows real-time “busy” data. The “Popular Times” feature can help you plan visits during less crowded periods.

TripAdvisor. Recent reviews often mention unexpected closures or changes in hours. A quick scan of the latest comments can reveal useful information from travelers who visited just days before you.

GetYourGuide or Viator. These legitimate tour booking platforms often update their listings when attractions have modified hours or closures.

Local transit apps. City-specific transportation apps sometimes include alerts about closures of major attractions, especially if they affect traffic or public transport routes.

Google Lens. This visual search tool can translate signs in real-time or help you verify if a logo or ID card is legitimate.

A couple from Australia told me how they avoided a scam in Istanbul when someone claimed the Blue Mosque was closed for prayers all day. A quick check of the mosque’s official app showed the actual prayer times and confirmed it would be open to visitors between those times.

Offline preparation is key. Download all necessary apps and save critical information before your trip. You might not always have reliable data service when traveling, especially at the moment you need to verify information.

Remember that scammers are counting on you being unprepared and uninformed. By taking a few minutes to set up these digital resources before your trip, you’re removing their primary advantage.

The redirect scam works because it creates an immediate problem (your plans are ruined) and then conveniently offers a solution. By verifying information through official channels, recognizing the signs of unauthorized guides, and using digital tools to stay informed, you can ensure your vacation highlights remain exactly as you planned them.