Common scams in Amsterdam

Street-level scams reported by travelers in Amsterdam, each with the counter-move that defuses it.

Not a complete list — new scams appear all the time. Stay alert.

Common scams — fake street drugs, tram pickpockets, fake 'police' wallet check
Never buy street drugs; ignore any 'police wallet check'
Dealers who approach tourists on the street — above all in and around the Red Light District (De Wallen) — sell fake or dangerously adulterated 'cocaine' and pills; buying illegal drugs from a street seller is both a crime and a real health risk, so never do it. Pickpockets work the crowded trams, Centraal Station, Damrak and Dam Square, so keep your phone and wallet zipped away and out of back pockets. Anyone who flashes a 'police' badge and asks to check your wallet for counterfeit notes is a thief — real Dutch police don't do street wallet searches, so decline and step into a shop. Mind your footing crossing the red bike lanes too: cyclists have priority and won't stop.
Checked August 2026View sourceopens in a new tab

Every Farovia trip carries intel like this — dated, sourced, and ready offline at the border.

Common scams — fake street drugs, tram pickpockets, fake 'police' wallet check