Intramuros, Manila’s historic walled city, is a must-visit for tourists exploring the Philippines’ capital. However, a recent study has placed the heritage site at the top of a global ranking for tourist attractions with the highest percentage of scam-related reviews.
According to a report by travel and luggage storage company Bounce, 0.86% of the 3,619 Tripadvisor reviews for Intramuros mentioned scams—the highest proportion among major tourist destinations worldwide. While the percentage remains small, it highlights common issues faced by visitors, particularly overpriced tricycle tours where unsuspecting tourists are charged excessive fees.
Other renowned landmarks also made the list, including the Forbidden City in China (0.55%), where tourists have reported the notorious “tea house” scam, and Petra in Jordan (0.50%), where fake employees trick visitors into paying hefty fees for rides. Meanwhile, the Eiffel Tower in Paris recorded the highest number of scam-related complaints, primarily involving pickpocketing and fraudulent tour bookings.
The study analyzed Tripadvisor reviews by identifying mentions of the word “scam” and calculating their frequency. It also revealed that pickpocketing remains the most Googled travel scam worldwide, with millions searching for ways to avoid it.
Bounce CEO Cody Candee advised travelers to stay cautious in crowded areas, research common scams before visiting, and purchase tickets only from official sources. Tourists are also encouraged to be vigilant when using ATMs to avoid potential fraud.
