A couple of scams just to be aware of:
Thieves often operate in gangs, particularly on trains between Schiphol airport and Centraal Station and on some trams.
One thief will be distracting you (asking directions, banging on your window, causing a problem) whilst another picks your pocket/steals your handbag, or places their hand in your handbag to get something out. Never be relaxed whilst out and about, even at bars or restaurants.
Another big scam is the fake police officer in plain clothes. "One man usually addresses people on the train to find out if they are tourists. If there are tourists about, two other men emerge with fake police identities and pretend to be investigating counterfeit money and false credit cards. If in doubt ring 112 just to check. In the usual scam, you are asked to hand over money and credit cards for verification. After the 'inspection', the fake policemen return all the money and cards, or at least that is how it seems. Victims find later on tht part of the money and/or credit cards are gone."
How to deal with it? Fake policemen never wear a uniform, says the Foreign Office, and also like to show shiny police badges - as real Dutch police officers do NOT carry badges.
Thieves often operate in gangs, particularly on trains between Schiphol airport and Centraal Station and on some trams.
One thief will be distracting you (asking directions, banging on your window, causing a problem) whilst another picks your pocket/steals your handbag, or places their hand in your handbag to get something out. Never be relaxed whilst out and about, even at bars or restaurants.
Another big scam is the fake police officer in plain clothes. "One man usually addresses people on the train to find out if they are tourists. If there are tourists about, two other men emerge with fake police identities and pretend to be investigating counterfeit money and false credit cards. If in doubt ring 112 just to check. In the usual scam, you are asked to hand over money and credit cards for verification. After the 'inspection', the fake policemen return all the money and cards, or at least that is how it seems. Victims find later on tht part of the money and/or credit cards are gone."
How to deal with it? Fake policemen never wear a uniform, says the Foreign Office, and also like to show shiny police badges - as real Dutch police officers do NOT carry badges.
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