Shanghai Scam #1: Friendly locals asking defenceless foreigners for tea

Where this scam usually takes place: People's Square area

Who: Usually 2 gals aged between 17-22, looks like university students and probably knows a little english

what they do: this 2 gals will usually try to strike up a conversation with a foreigner walking alone or at most, 2 foreigners.

Scam: after striking up a conversation with the victim/s, the pair of gals will suggest to continue to chat in a tea house nearby. the usual excuse is they want to practice their english and the girls will tell the victim/s more about shanghai

when they are at the tea house, the waiter will show you a menu showing you probably pots of tea ranging from 25-35 RMB / pot. The victims or the gals will order a kind of tea.

after the tea is served, the gals will find an excuse to go away for a while, very often they will say they need to go to the washroom. the unsuspecting foreigners would probably say fine.

then the gals will never come back.realizing its a waste of time, the foreigners will ask for the bill, if not, they will be showed one.

the pot of tea now costs 7000RMB. the victim/s will deny, but now their menus shows the tea prices range from 5000-8000RMB.and suddenly, the once secluded teahouse is filled with many gangsters and probably security guards too.

some victims got away with paying half the amount after some serious bargaining, some victims used their credit card for the too expensive tea.

beware!