Warning for Male Travellers in Istanbul - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**Canadian Bacon** · 06-28-2007, 10:14 AM

Here ıs a very general warnıng based on some fucked up shıt that happened to me last nıght...

Do not trust ANY local from Istanbul around Taksım square who speaks English and initiates contact wıth you... EVEN if you are ın a bar.

Do not gıve them the benefıt of the doubt..... whıch ıs what I stupıdly dıd last nıght and almost ended up beıng a vıctım of that scam where you end up ın a club wıth gırls sıttıng next to you and bıll comes to 720 LIRA!

Long story short I made ıt out wıthout payıng a penny due to some engenıous dıstractıon tactıcs and some heavy duty sprıntıng through the streets of Istanbul wıth Turkısh dance musıc as a soundtrack....

But please BE CAREFUL ın Istanbul especıally Taksım!!!! I was nearly a vıctım...although the good news ıs that I have one crazy story to tell for the rest of my lıfe.....

**lauren313** · 06-28-2007, 11:05 AM

Sounds shitty, but also kind of exciting! I could picture it!

**joe7f** · 06-28-2007, 11:26 AM

For those curious 720 Lira is 400 Euros.

Jay dude, that is scary man but I want to hear the details of your distractions

Btw, this scam is also practiced in Eastern Europe. For the most part not following locals (that approach you) anywhere is a good idea.

--Joey

**maracle** · 06-28-2007, 11:26 AM

They do the same thing in seedier french strip clubs

**millmuff** · 06-28-2007, 11:42 AM

I rarely trust single men that approach me...no good can come from it. Also if your alone sitting with a group of women in another country and you dont know them...chances are your paying for them whether you know it or not.

Nice work getting out of it though, ignorance usually doesn't mean shit to the guys who want your money.

**aliz** · 06-28-2007, 03:49 PM

how do they scam you into it? and yeah how did you distract them?

**simply_angelic** · 06-28-2007, 04:38 PM

NICE

we canucks really know how to dine 'n dash

....seriously though, like everyone else, I WANT DETAILS!

**DC_Jessica** · 06-28-2007, 04:53 PM

Agghh!! Jason, sorry to hear someone scammed you!

They do the same thing in a lot of former Soviet Bloc countries. What they do is approach you, and strike up a friendly "interested in foreigner" conversation. They say they know a great local hangout where you can eat, drink, whatever. Then when they get there, a bunch of girls join the table, and not only do you foot the bill, but it's greatly inflated. Also, they threaten to/will try to hurt you or worse if you don't pay up.

I'm also interested to hear your exact story. CRAZY!

Be careful, buddy! You've still got a lot of traveling to do!

hurr111 · 06-28-2007, 06:41 PM

That sounds exciting and scary all at the same time! Like everyone else I am waiting for the details. It is also good to hear this scam, I don't think I would have noticed until it was too late.

**indierock05** · 06-28-2007, 07:52 PM

Glad you got out of it!

**Canadian Bacon** · 06-29-2007, 01:04 AM

Okay guys.... here is the story two nights ago.

Running through the Jungle (of Istanbul)

So, first night in Istanbul. I haven't met anyone at the hostel, so I'm just expecting a nice quiet stroll around Istiklal street just south of Taksim Square. I've read all about the scams so I thought I was well prepared.

I think because I am asian, I am an obvious target... otherwise it is difficult to tell who is a local and who is not - pretty much anyone can be a turk... except asians.

So as I'm walking up and down Istiklal, guys are coming up to me, asking me where I'm from... So I talk to them, but I know they are scamming me, so I polititely excuse myself everytime.

So before I call it a night, I head to this bar called "Montreal", the wall is decorated with all this Canadian crap. I even ask the owner about the scams and the people coming up to me... and he says "its just turkish hospitality!"

So these two guys come in the bar, order beers and sit down to the table next to mine. THey start talking to me, their english is good.... I think since they are just fellow people at the bar, they're possibly not scamming me. One of the guys looks like a crook, you can tell by the eyes, but the other one looks honest, so decide to give them the benefit of the doubt.

After a while of conversation and a few beers, we decide to hit up a "club". I make it very clear to them that I only have 20 LIRA on me, and that I only would go to expensive places... they were like "ok don't worry". I noticed it was odd that one of the guys kept going to the washroom (later I think it was to call people to coordinate the 'club' we were going to).

So we walk into this club, and the place is dead except for some young girls and old men. I should've left right away, but for some reason I didn't. I sit with these guys, me between the both of them in the corner table so I have no chance of getting out... I start to get suspicious and ask questions. They're like "no problem, we split everything 50/50".

Suddenly all the girls get on the dance floor and start dancing... its not real dancing its more like the dancing a girl does when someone orders her to dance. Three girls come over to our table and sit. The girl I am sitting from comes from Ukraine. Then I go to the washroom and one of the guys follows me to also head to the washroom. All these things add up to my conclusion that I am for sure getting scammed.

When I get back to the table, I tell them "its been a great night, but I have to go. Here's my 20 Lira, you guys stay". But they refuse and block my exit and are like... "we'll get the bill now, don't worry". The girls are still sitting next to us. The waiter brings the bill: 720 Lira. We split it 50/50, that's what one of the guy tells me. At this point the girls leave.

So I argue this bill, saying "you guys fucked me over, you knew I only had 20 Lira"... and them saying stupid bullshit. There's no way I could physically escape this club, there are too many obstacles. My best chance, I thought, was to be outside. So I say I'll pay one of the guys 200 Lira once we leave the bar and I go to the ATM. He "pays" the tab with his card, and we leave and bar.

We're walking up the sidestreet to get on to Istiklal street, and my mind is racing with possibilites to get out. Should I risk fighting these guys? I am pretty confident with my abilities, but two guys? In another country? Very risky...

We get to the main street, and right there is a police stand. (makeshift booth). I walk over to them to "ask for directions"... and I end up telling them about EVERYTHING, and how these guys try to extort me for nearly 400 Lira. The police don't understand a word. There is a guy wearing a bright orange shirt with a nice SLR camera arond this neck who 'translates' what I am sayting to the police, although I am sure he is working with the guys who tried to scam me.

THe police are not helping me, but aren't hurting me either. As long as I am there, the two guys won't try to jump me, but I won't get away scot free as well. I think the scammers realise its going to be difficult to get this money from me and cut a deal "150 Lira and we will have no problems. Just 150 Lira." Since I don't want to go anywhere with the scammers, we compromise and I will go with the orange shirt guy to get the money then come back.

This is my chance.

I start walking up the street with the orange shirt guy, and I tell him "listen bud, how about I give you 60 Lira and you let me go". He says "no, I can't I konw these guys". I say "you work with these guys", but he says "no, but they are in my network".

So I only have on option - and the conditions are all in my favour. THe guy in the orange shirt looks a little out of shape, and is carrying a large expensive camera around his neck. We reach and ATM and I shake his hand saying "thanks for your help anyway". Then I point behind his back and say "are those guys over there". When he turns and looks behind him, I BOLT DOWN Istiklal street at FULL SPRINT! (with Turkish music playing the background, providing a soundtrack - i feel like I'm in a movie).

I look behind and no on followed me! I keep running, my lung start to burn, and after about 60 seconds, and duck into a sidestreet into this empty bar and meet the surpised look of the owner. The first thing is do is LAUGH! I laugh for a long time, then order a cola. Then I threw up.

So for the rest of the right, I am very paranoid, ducking into little bars, looking left and right at everyone. I end up at 3 little bars, having cola and tea at each... on the look out while they play lounge music... I seriously feel like I'm in a movie. I make it back to the hostel at about 3am... 4 hours after all this madness began.

So to conclude: the one time I let down my guard and gave the benefit of the doubt I was almost burned, so my trust factor for the locals in Istanbul is very low. But... thanks to them, I have a great story to tell.

davidd · 06-29-2007, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canadian Bacon

Okay guys.... here is the story two nights ago.

Running through the Jungle (of Istanbul)

So, first night in Istanbul. I haven't met anyone at the hostel, so I'm just expecting a nice quiet stroll around Istiklal street just south of Taksim Square. I've read all about the scams so I thought I was well prepared.

I think because I am asian, I am an obvious target... otherwise it is difficult to tell who is a local and who is not - pretty much anyone can be a turk... except asians.

So as I'm walking up and down Istiklal, guys are coming up to me, asking me where I'm from... So I talk to them, but I know they are scamming me, so I polititely excuse myself everytime.

So before I call it a night, I head to this bar called "Montreal", the wall is decorated with all this Canadian crap. I even ask the owner about the scams and the people coming up to me... and he says "its just turkish hospitality!"

So these two guys come in the bar, order beers and sit down to the table next to mine. THey start talking to me, their english is good.... I think since they are just fellow people at the bar, they're possibly not scamming me. One of the guys looks like a crook, you can tell by the eyes, but the other one looks honest, so decide to give them the benefit of the doubt.

After a while of conversation and a few beers, we decide to hit up a "club". I make it very clear to them that I only have 20 LIRA on me, and that I only would go to expensive places... they were like "ok don't worry". I noticed it was odd that one of the guys kept going to the washroom (later I think it was to call people to coordinate the 'club' we were going to).

So we walk into this club, and the place is dead except for some young girls and old men. I should've left right away, but for some reason I didn't. I sit with these guys, me between the both of them in the corner table so I have no chance of getting out... I start to get suspicious and ask questions. They're like "no problem, we split everything 50/50".

Suddenly all the girls get on the dance floor and start dancing... its not real dancing its more like the dancing a girl does when someone orders her to dance. Three girls come over to our table and sit. The girl I am sitting from comes from Ukraine. Then I go to the washroom and one of the guys follows me to also head to the washroom. All these things add up to my conclusion that I am for sure getting scammed.

When I get back to the table, I tell them "its been a great night, but I have to go. Here's my 20 Lira, you guys stay". But they refuse and block my exit and are like... "we'll get the bill now, don't worry". The girls are still sitting next to us. The waiter brings the bill: 720 Lira. We split it 50/50, that's what one of the guy tells me. At this point the girls leave.

So I argue this bill, saying "you guys fucked me over, you knew I only had 20 Lira"... and them saying stupid bullshit. There's no way I could physically escape this club, there are too many obstacles. My best chance, I thought, was to be outside. So I say I'll pay one of the guys 200 Lira once we leave the bar and I go to the ATM. He "pays" the tab with his card, and we leave and bar.

We're walking up the sidestreet to get on to Istiklal street, and my mind is racing with possibilites to get out. Should I risk fighting these guys? I am pretty confident with my abilities, but two guys? In another country? Very risky...

We get to the main street, and right there is a police stand. (makeshift booth). I walk over to them to "ask for directions"... and I end up telling them about EVERYTHING, and how these guys try to extort me for nearly 400 Lira. The police don't understand a word. There is a guy wearing a bright orange shirt with a nice SLR camera arond this neck who 'translates' what I am sayting to the police, although I am sure he is working with the guys who tried to scam me.

THe police are not helping me, but aren't hurting me either. As long as I am there, the two guys won't try to jump me, but I won't get away scot free as well. I think the scammers realise its going to be difficult to get this money from me and cut a deal "150 Lira and we will have no problems. Just 150 Lira." Since I don't want to go anywhere with the scammers, we compromise and I will go with the orange shirt guy to get the money then come back.

This is my chance.

I start walking up the street with the orange shirt guy, and I tell him "listen bud, how about I give you 60 Lira and you let me go". He says "no, I can't I konw these guys". I say "you work with these guys", but he says "no, but they are in my network".

So I only have on option - and the conditions are all in my favour. THe guy in the orange shirt looks a little out of shape, and is carrying a large expensive camera around his neck. We reach and ATM and I shake his hand saying "thanks for your help anyway". Then I point behind his back and say "are those guys over there". When he turns and looks behind him, I BOLT DOWN Istiklal street at FULL SPRINT! (with Turkish music playing the background, providing a soundtrack - i feel like I'm in a movie).

I look behind and no on followed me! I keep running, my lung start to burn, and after about 60 seconds, and duck into a sidestreet into this empty bar and meet the surpised look of the owner. The first thing is do is LAUGH! I laugh for a long time, then order a cola. Then I threw up.

So for the rest of the right, I am very paranoid, ducking into little bars, looking left and right at everyone. I end up at 3 little bars, having cola and tea at each... on the look out while they play lounge music... I seriously feel like I'm in a movie. I make it back to the hostel at about 3am... 4 hours after all this madness began.

So to conclude: the one time I let down my guard and gave the benefit of the doubt I was almost burned, so my trust factor for the locals in Istanbul is very low. But... thanks to them, I have a great story to tell.

yeah great story to tell even if it isnt fun at the time. Sounds like you did very well thinking on your feet to get out of there and its something I now know about to watch out for so cheers.

**joe7f** · 06-29-2007, 03:18 AM

Great story man

Apparently in Istanbul you can'tstandtoknowppl :D

--Joey

**louse** · 06-29-2007, 03:31 AM

Yeah, that story was so good I burnt my crepe! And didn't care!
I head a similar story from 2 brits, they went out with another guy and a girl in budapest. Asked the cabbie to drop them off somewhere and he takes them to a strip club. So they decide to have just one drink then leave. Of course, the bill comes to hundreds of pounds and they are forced to pay. Threatened with guns and everything. They are taken in turns to the atm (and charged for the taxi rides to it which is so terrible but funny) with 2 held hostage at the bar at all times. They are even taken back to their hostel and all their stuff is ransacked. The poor buggers were just starting out a round the world trip too.

**Canadian Bacon** · 06-29-2007, 07:04 AM

Louse - wow ı thınk my story could have easıly turned lıke that ıf the condıtıons were not ın my favour! Wow that ıs a bad!

I am back at the hostel.

I just saw the orange shırt guy that I ran from the other day... I dont thınk he saw me.

I have been tryıng to lay low last nıght... although now I am travellıng wıth two bıg Canadıans who I met so I doubt ıf they fınd me theyll start any shıt.

Actually today I met a really frıendly local who knew no englısh but took me shoppıng ın the grand bazaar and showed me the good cheap shops to go! So thıs confırms my theory: Istanbulers who speak Englısh - no good. Istanbulers who speak no Englısh - good people.