This street bait-and-switch scam is a deceptive tactic where scammers, pretending to be street vendors, lure unsuspecting tourists into purchasing high-tech or luxury items, such as laptops, cameras, smartphones, expensive watches or perfumes. However, instead of receiving the promised goods, victims end up with boxes filled with worthless items designed to mimic the weight and feel of the genuine product.
These scams are most common in areas with heavy tourist traffic, such as open markets or popular shopping streets.
Fixed market stalls or street shops rarely use this tactic, as they would be easier to track down once the scam is uncovered. However, these shop and stall vendors might sometimes collaborate with scammers operating nearby (see How It Works below).
Scammers typically target foreigners because locals are usually familiar with these schemes and less likely to be deceived. Additionally, targeting tourists reduces the chances of encountering their victims later in the same area.
1) How It Works
Bait
As mentioned, these scammers typically approach passersby, focusing on those who look like foreigners or tourists.
They might pose as street vendors with portable stalls or roam the streets with the bait products in hand.
The scam usually starts with a “Friendly Face” approach, where they try to strike up a conversation, or they might cut straight to the chase by offering a high-tech or luxury product at an unbeatable price.
If you show interest, they’ll show the product, sometimes letting you handle and inspect it. The price offered will be much lower than the market value but still high enough to seem legitimate and give the con artists the chance to lower it even more, “just ‘cause they like you”, to make the deal seem even more enticing.
When questioned about the low price, scammers will often have a semi-credible excuse ready. They might say it’s overstock, a lucky find, or a duplicate gift, which is why they’re selling it so cheaply on the street.
The product shown will be genuine and in good condition, further convincing you that you’ve found a real bargain.
Once you’re hooked, the scammer will package the item in a box or packaging right in front of you. This “bait-box” might be the original product packaging, a replica, or more often, a plain cardboard box sealed with lot of tape. They might then place the bait-box inside a bag, usually a plastic one.
Switch
The switch can occur at any point after the fake vendor places the item in the bait-box and before handing it over to the victim.
Taking advantage of any momentary distraction, the scammer will remove the bait-box from the victim’s sight and quickly replace it with an identical-looking box, which we’ll call the “trash-box“. This box contains random objects that mimic the weight and feel of the original item.
The bait-and-switch scammers often use accomplices who are stationed nearby and ready to hand over the trash-box, swapping it with the bait-box without the victim noticing. These accomplices might even be the owners of surrounding market stalls.
In some cases, scammers work alone, keeping the trash-box hidden and ready for a quick switch. For example, a roaming vendor might turn their back under the pretense of checking or storing the received money, or a stall vendor might briefly hide the bait-box under the counter to make the swap.
Distractions are endless in these situations: negotiating the price, the crowd around you, or an accomplice bumping into you or drawing your attention. Anything could divert your focus and make the exchange.
Once the money is handed over and the trash-box is given to the victim, scammers will disappear at the first opportunity when they are out of sight.
2) What You Risk
Victims who are unaware of this scam often open the received trash-box too late, only to realize they’ve been tricked. By then, the scammers have had ample time to vanish without a trace.
As mentioned earlier, instead of the high-tech or luxury item you thought you purchased, you’ll find random junk inside the trash-box.
Common fillers include pieces of wood or stone, tissue packets, literal bricks, or other cheap items placed to mimic the weight of the original bait-box.
3) How to Avoid It
To avoid falling victim to this scam, always be cautious of Friendly Faces or random individuals on the street, especially if they approach you persistently. This is particularly important when dealing with significant purchases like expensive tech or luxury items.
Question unusual situations. If a street deal seems too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. For instance, ask yourself why a street vendor would offer you a high-end camera or smartphone at a fraction of its market price. Or consider how they can make a profit from such a deal.
Even if it’s not a bait-and-switch scam, you might be dealing with counterfeit goods, a fake vendor or other Random Encounters.
If You Get Scammed
If you realize you’ve been scammed and open the trash-box in front of the scammer, you could pretend to believe it was a genuine mistake and try to get your money back diplomatically.
Otherwise, as mentioned earlier, you’re unlikely to find the scammers where you left them. Even if you do, we strongly advise against seeking justice on your own in a foreign country.
The best choice is to contact local authorities and file a report. Reporting can sometimes lead to recovering your money and can also help the authorities tackle these scams more effectively.
In some countries, the volume of tourist complaints might prompt stronger action against this and other common street scams.
Don’t Try to Outsmart Them
Street scammers often make a living from these schemes and are skilled at targeting potential victims. If they sense you’re aware of their scam, they might abruptly stop their routine and try to move you along.
Moreover, even if you manage to expose them, you cannot predict their reaction in the absence of law enforcement. For safety advice, please read Interactions with Scammers in the Extras and Thoughts section below.
4) Extras and Thoughts
Unfortunately, we were unable to find images that are sufficiently illustrative or even evocative of this specific scam. If you’re interested in seeing a practical example of how it works, you can refer to this video on YouTube.
It shows the moment when a clumsy box exchange between the accomplice and the street scammer takes place, right behind one of the two victims holding umbrellas.
Curiosities
In this article, we’ve anglicized the Italian term for this scam, “il pacco”. Although this particular street scam isn’t as widespread in Italy today, it was once so notorious that it became synonymous with street scams in general and, more broadly, with any form of deceit or unfulfilled expectations—whether it’s receiving poor service or a friend not showing up to a party.
There’s even an Italian movie about street scams called -Pacco, doppio pacco e contropacco- from the early ’90s. If you’ve seen it or happen to watch it, let us know your thoughts!
We’re aware that this type of scam exists in various countries, though we’ve found limited information about its name in other regions. If you know of a similar scam in your area and its local name, feel free to share it with us via email or DM on our Twitter or Instagram.
Interactions with Scammers
Based on the data we’ve gathered, these encounters are rarely violent. However, it’s impossible to predict how scammers might react to a victim confronting them, especially when law enforcement isn’t present.
Reactions can vary widely depending on the country, neighbourhood, or even the specific street where the incident occurs. Keep in mind that scammers often operate on their “home turf,” meaning they might have more accomplices or friends nearby and be prepared for confrontations, potentially escalating to violence.
As mentioned earlier, it’s best to involve the authorities, even if you manage to identify the scammers by yourself.
Clarifications
We want to clarify that this article doesn’t target or condemn any particular street vendor, small outdoor shop, or market stall, regardless of their location.
While a tiny fraction of these vendors might be complicit in this or other scams—or even commit them independently—the vast majority are honest individuals simply doing their jobs.
The individuals described here are primarily street scammers and common hustlers who pose as vendors to lure and deceive potential victims.
Content Disclaimer
All images are licensed under CC0, CC BY, or CC BY-SA and belong to their respective authors.