PICTURED: Video shows the technique used by dodgy Bali money changers to scam Australian tourists out of their money – and how you can get your cash back
- A money exchange scam has been revealed in Bali by an Australian tourist
- Jason Pizzino uploaded a video detailing the scam to his YouTube channel
- The scam involves the money changer pocketing a chunk of bills while counting
An Australian travelling in Bali has revealed a money changing scam targeting tourists on the popular holiday island.
Jason Pizzino uploaded a video to his YouTube channel detailing the scam as a warning to other holidaymakers.
Video footage captured by Pizzano shows the brazen moment a money changer in a small roadside kiosk pockets a wad of Indonesian Rupiah that Pizzano had exchanged Australian dollars for.
An Australian travelling in Bali has revealed a money changing scam targeting tourists on the popular holiday island
Before revealing the scam, Pizzano shows the inside of one of the money changing booths – noting the height of the desk, which is important for the scam.
The scam begins by the money changer asking how much cash needs to be exchanged – more bills means more oppourtunity for the worker to perform the scam.
After the tourist hands over their foreign bills, the money changer will count out the cash to be given in exchange. He then hands the money over to the tourist to count.
He then takes back the cash to count one final time – it is at this moment the worker uses sleight of hand to swiftly move a chunk of the cash below the desk while handing back the remaining portion.
Jason Pizzino uploaded a video to his YouTube channel detailing the scam as a warning to other holidaymakers
Pizzanos advises there are ways to tell legitimate money changers from the scam kiosks.
The scam kiosk are very small, have high desks, and darkened glass over the booth.
While the legitimate money changers usually have a larger shopfront, lower desks, electronic screens showing currency prices, and will get the customer to sign a receipt.
Pizzano’s advice to anyone that has been a victim to this scam is to, as a first step, work out exactly how much money you have been short-changed.
Then he advises to go back to the money changer kiosk and tell them they didn’t give you all your money.
Pizzano says nine times out of ten the worker will give you the money without further question.
If they do not, however, he advises talking to hotel security or tourist police.
Pizzanos advises there are ways to tell legitimate money changers from the scam kiosks