You can confidently threaten the pushy Turk with the police.
Tourists visiting Istanbul should be on guard. Scammers are lurking around every corner - whether in the metro, taxis, restaurants, or crowded streets - shoe shiners and simit sellers (traditional Turkish bagels) do not miss the opportunity to profit from trusting foreigners.
Local residents of Istanbul have shared the most popular scams in the city of two continents and what to do if you fall for a con artist's bait.
The main tricks of taxi drivers are related to the tolls for crossing bridges and tunnels. These fees are not included in the taxi meter and are paid separately by the passenger, so an unscrupulous driver can inflate the price for such a trip.
Another scheme used by Istanbul taxi drivers is the demand for a "return fee" for their seat. Allegedly, they must return to the other side of the Bosphorus, so they will ask for double the fare for crossing the bridge. It is important to remember that this contradicts the UKOME (Transportation Coordination Center) rule, which states that the passenger pays for the trip only in one direction.
It is also worth noting the myth of the "night rate." In reality, Istanbul has a single official taxi fare, and any attempts to charge extra based on the time of day are scams.
Locals recommend discussing the exact route and fare with taxi drivers in advance. Current rates for crossing bridges and tunnels can be checked online. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that the taxi meter is turned on and functioning properly throughout the trip.
The likelihood of fraud when using a specialized taxi-hailing app is lower since you can leave a complaint about the driver. Furthermore, in cases of inflated fares or attempts to deceive, passengers can report, write, or call the ALO 153 Beyaz Masa service — a hotline for complaints to the municipality.
In tourist areas of Istanbul, helpful waiters may serve snacks, water, tea, or bread without an order as an appetizer, creating the impression that it is a compliment from the establishment. However, these items are later included in the bill without the customer's knowledge, often at inflated prices. Additionally, a "service charge" may unexpectedly appear on the check.
How to Deal with Pushy Waiters
Upon receiving a bill that does not match the original order, it is necessary to point out the "Price Transparency Law," adopted on February 1, 2026, by the Turkish Ministry of Trade. It strictly prohibits including any additional charges and payment for dishes not listed on the menu in the bill.
In a disputed situation, tourists should once again resort to the ALO 153 hotline. Often, this is enough, as the fines for such violations for Turks in 2026 are quite hefty. If the scammers do not back down, you should immediately write or call the number provided on the ALO 153 service website.
Other Scams by Fraudsters in Istanbul's Bars and Restaurants
Another practice is the existence of two menus: one for locals and one for foreigners. Prices in them can differ by several times. What to do: currently, Istanbul primarily provides online menus, but in the case of a paper one in tourist areas, it is worth trying to look at the version in Turkish and compare the prices.
Particular danger lies in schemes targeting lonely male tourists in the Taksim and Sultanahmet areas. A stranger (sometimes posing as a fellow tourist) may strike up a friendly conversation and invite you to "a nice bar," where hostesses posing as girls join the traveler and start ordering drinks in your name. As a result, the bill can reach hundreds or thousands of dollars. Such stories often turn into real crime.
In Taksim, there have been cases where, upon refusal to pay, tourists were taken "at gunpoint" to an ATM to withdraw cash. What to do: beware of such "chance" acquaintances under the pretext of having a good time in pleasant company. Make sure that there are police officers on the street near the establishment you are being lured into (there are many in the streets of Istanbul). In such a case, if things go wrong, you can seek help from law enforcement.
One of the most famous scams in Istanbul is the trick with a falling brush in the middle of the street. Allegedly, a shoe shiner "accidentally" drops a brush in front of a foreigner. When the tourist picks it up, they are offered to have their shoes "cleaned for free" as a token of gratitude. Later, it turns out that there is a fee for this service.
What to do: you can confidently threaten the pushy cleaner with the police if the so-called "not free" service has already been rendered for a kind gesture. But it is better to simply not touch the brush and watch how the disgruntled scammer returns for it.
A similar, but less aggressive scheme involves street vendors selling simits - the gastronomic symbol of Istanbul, which is a fluffy bagel sprinkled with sesame seeds. One of these "sellers" with a large tray suddenly "stumbles" in front of you and drops all of his goods right in front of the tourist, sometimes even pretending to faint. After that, he displays despair or cries, claiming to have lost his entire daily earnings. Sympathetic foreigners may offer money to cover the "losses" for what is actually expired goods. What to do: you can help gather the bagels, but under no circumstances should you give money. It should be understood that there is no talk of any loss of daily earnings. This is just another trick of an Istanbul scammer.
There is another, now classic scheme that operates in the metro and at above-ground transport stops. When a tourist does not know how to buy an Istanbul Card for traveling around the city, a nearby "well-wisher" seemingly appears out of nowhere and approaches the tourist with words of readiness to solve the problem. Instead, he transfers real money to his card and gives his victim an empty old card.
What to do: if you have problems buying an Istanbul Card, it is best to ask for help from someone topping up their card at a special terminal or find an employee distinguished by a uniform. And under no circumstances should you exchange cards with a stranger.
Former Turkish police officer and security expert Mustafa Büyürcü advises moving to a crowded place if scammers are pushing services, demanding money for free gifts, or trying to hold you back. He recommends speaking loudly and clearly: "I said no, leave me alone, this is a scam." According to him, in such a situation, it is important not to be polite!
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