Scams to Watch For

Amsterdam has shockingly low violent crime for a city its size—you’re not likely to get mugged at knifepoint. What awaits instead is a gauntlet of small, high-frequency scams aimed at tourists who assume the Dutch are universally trustworthy. Pickpockets, fake drug dealers, rigged bike rentals, and taxi con artists all have specific playbooks. Here’s exactly what to watch for and how to shut it down before you lose cash, a phone, or a deposit.

Street Drug Dealer ‘Cocaine’ Scam (Red Light District)

The most dangerous scam in Amsterdam isn’t the pickpocket—it’s the person sidling up to you near a canal bridge in the Red Light District offering “cocaine” for €20–50. What you get is usually laundry powder, crushed paracetamol, or—in the worst cases—bad heroin cut with fentanyl. Tourists have ended up in hospital or dead. Never buy street drugs in Amsterdam, period. If you want cannabis, use a licensed coffeeshop (and even then, don’t buy more than you’ll smoke that day—possession limits are real). The dealers will also try the “switch” trick: show you a tiny bag of powder, then take your money and disappear. Just walk past without eye contact.

Pickpocket Hotspots – Where & When

Amsterdam’s pickpocketing is an Olympic sport, concentrated in crowds and on public transport. The hits, in order of probability:

Centraal Station – always. Especially the escalators and queues for trams.
Tram 5 & 14 – tourist lines from Centraal to Museumplein. When everyone shuffles on, bags get unzipped.
Dam Square – people standing still staring at the palace are targets.
Leidseplein – nightlife crush, especially after midnight.
Albert Cuyp Market – body-to-body crowds, pickpockets work in pairs.

Keep your wallet in a front zippered pocket or a hidden money belt. Backpacks go around your chest in tram crowds. For more detail on which neighborhoods stay calm after dark, see our safe neighborhoods guide.

Bike Rental Scam – The €5 Trap

Look for shops advertising bikes at €5/day. That’s half the going rate (real rentals are €10–15/day from legitimate outfits). Here’s how they screw you: the bike has an existing scratch or a slightly wobbly lock. When you return it, they point to “new damage” and demand €50–100 cash. Some also charge a “lock damage” deposit you never see again. Stick to established brands: MacBike, Yellow Bike, Black Bikes, or A-Bike. At pickup, insist on a written receipt with the exact rental terms (deposit, damage policy). Then photograph every angle of the bike, including the lock and tyre treads, before you pedal away. That photo is your only evidence if they try to claim you broke something.

Bike Theft – The Two-Lock Rule

Approximately 70% of bikes in Amsterdam get stolen eventually. Tourists are prime targets because they often use just one lock. The local rule: use two locks. A built-in ring lock (typically on the back wheel) plus a heavy chain lock secured to a fixed post, railing, or bike rack. Never chain your bike to a signpost that can be lifted off—thieves have tools for that. Write down the bike’s serial number and take a photo of it. If you park overnight, bring the bike inside your hotel or hostel (many allow it in a courtyard). Rental companies will charge you the replacement cost if it’s stolen, which can be €300+.

Taxi Flat-Rate Scam at Schiphol

At the arrivals hall, drivers may approach you offering a “flat rate” to your hotel. Typical offer: €60. The real metered fare from Schiphol to central Amsterdam is €45–55, and often less (€35–40 if traffic is light). The scam works because tourists don’t know the going rate and are tired after a flight. Walk past the touts to the official taxi rank outside the terminal—all licensed taxis there use meters. Or better: take the train. Schiphol to Centraal Station costs €5.90, runs every 10–15 minutes, and takes 15–20 minutes.

ATM Skimming, DCC, and Dynamic Currency Confusion

ATM skimming is rare in the Netherlands, but it happens at tourist-zone machines (e.g., those small standalone kiosks near Dam Square). Use only bank-branch ATMs: ABN AMRO, Rabobank, or ING—they are well-maintained and monitored. For more on cash vs. card strategy in Amsterdam, see our money guide.

Second trap: Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). When you insert your card at a terminal, the screen may offer you the option to pay in your home currency rather than euros. The exchange rate will always be terrible (anywhere from 3–8% worse than the bank rate). Always select EUR. The merchant might say “this is better for you”—it isn’t.

Restaurant Tourist-Trap Menus

Walk along the main squares like Dam Square or Leidseplein, and you’ll see menus with “Stamppot” for €18 and “Beer” for €7. Those same dishes cost €12 and €4, respectively, three blocks away. The rule: walk at least 3 streets from the square to find where locals eat. The tourist-trap restaurants also add 5–7% “service charge” that isn’t included in the price. Check the bill—if a charge appears, ask to have it removed. The Dutch don’t tip extravagantly anyway; rounding up to the nearest euro is fine.

Boat Tour Overcharging at Centraal Station Touts

Near the water at Centraal Station, touts offer instant canal cruises for “last minute” prices like €25. Legitimate operators charge €13–18 for the same hour-long ride. Book online in advance with Stromma or Lovers Canal Cruises—or just walk to the dock on the other side of the station where there are no touts, only ticket counters with fixed prices.

Photographing Prostitutes in Windows = Instant Fine

This is a real law. Taking a photo of a sex worker in a window can get you a €100+ fine and your camera confiscated. The workers will also scream and throw something at you—or worse. The Red Light District has plainclothes police who enforce this. Don’t film, don’t point, don’t smile with the window as a backdrop.

Fake Police Asking for ID

Scammers impersonate police and demand to see your wallet, claiming they need to check for “counterfeit money” or “stolen cards.” Real Dutch police will show a badge with a number and will never ask you for cash. If someone in plain clothes approaches you demanding ID and your wallet, ask to see their badge, then say you’ll only show ID at a police station. Walk away immediately. For a real police interaction, the non-emergency number is 0900-8844 (or 112 for emergencies).

Friendship Bracelet Con (Centraal Area)

Same as Rome, Paris, Barcelona: a friendly person ties a “free” bracelet on your wrist, then demands €5–10 for it. They often work in pairs—one distracts while the other picks your pocket. Centraal Station forecourt and the paths toward Damrak are the prime spots. Don’t let them touch you. Say “Nee” firmly and keep walking.

Apartment Rental Scams on Facebook Marketplace

If you see a “cheap Amsterdam apartment” for €100/night on Facebook or Craigslist, it’s a scam. The “host” will send you a fake contract and ask for a deposit via bank transfer. You’ll arrive to find the address doesn’t exist or is a hostel. Only use Booking.com or Airbnb—and even then, read recent reviews.

What to Do If You Are Scammed

Emergency (injury, theft with violence, immediate danger): call 112.
Non-emergency police line (lost property, report pickpocketing): 0900-8844 (from a Dutch number) or +31 343 578 844 (from abroad). English-speaking operators are available.
Online police report: politie.nl/en. You can file a digital report for stolen bicycles, cards, or minor theft.
Stolen bank card: call your bank immediately (within 60 minutes of noticing) to freeze the card. Most Dutch banks (ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank) have 24/7 hotlines printed on the back of your card.
Lost or stolen passport: contact your embassy/consulate immediately. The Dutch police will issue a verification form (aangifte) that you need for the embassy.

Amsterdam is not a dangerous city. It is a city that preys on carelessness. Know the tricks, keep your wits, and you’ll leave with all your money and dignity intact.