| Fraud in Tunisia | ||
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Fraud to tourists, big and small, is widespread in
the touristic areas of Tunisia and has a wide variety of expressions.
It begins, in many cases, when an hotel employee talks to a tourist and makes any "special" offers or recommends to buy something with a friend or a family member. All these offers are overpriced, and will serve not only the "friend", but also the the intermediary. If someone is not working in a hotel, he will often resort to a trick - on the road, he will talk to tourists and tell them that he is an employee of their hotel ("You don't know me? I'm your waiter at the hotel"). After a short time of conversation, offers will follow to sell or buy something - or to spend some time together or sit down for a cafe (and then the offers/demands come later or in one of the next days). |
There
are, indeed, people who turn out to be honest and good
friends - but to meet one of those accidentally on the streets or in a
hotel environment as a tourist, is as probable as obtaining a main
strike in a lottery.
A "normal" tourist without detailed knowledge of the country or the culture should never surrender to the illusion that this happens to him! Often, help is sought, because a family member, often the father, mother or child is supposedly ill, or a (sometimes urgent) hospital treatment is needed. You need to, if you were to help in such a case, insist on visiting the "ill" person yourself, and pay invoices always in person at the doctor, the hospital or the pharmacy (and ask about the medical history!). Almost all doctors and pharmacist speak English, some German and all of them French. |
Never ever give any money to a friend
or family member!
Sometimes a tourist will be asked for a sum of money to borrow, always with the promise that this will soon be returned or sent. Here applies a simple rule without exception: money, no matter how much, once given out of your hand, is lost - it will never be returned! If you hand over money, no matter for what claim, consider it always a gift - if you are not comfortable with that, don't give money at all! There are significant parts of the economy basing on such fraud or "tricks" - and they are brought to an even higher (more expensive) level with real estate, business "opportunities" and especially with "love" relations. If you were to invest, do business or engage in personal relationships in Tunisia, make always sure that you are well-informed ahead of time! There are a lot of forums about Tunisia where you can get second opinions ... use them! |
| There are recently increasing numbers of reports about fraud when exchanging money in hotels. Please make sure to count the exchange money and compare with the exchange receipt and do not accept any excuses for not paying out the full amount. Do not hesitate to call the hotel manager or the police! | ||
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