Travel Scams in Taipei — Emergency Guide
Review-based scam types and what to do in Taipei, Taiwan.
Last Updated: 2026-06-18
- Emergency
- 110
- Estimated Processing Time
- Prevention: immediate · Report: 1–3 hrs
- Estimated Costs
- NT$500–30,000+
Taiwan Police · 0800-024-111
110📌 Based on travel reviews & forums
Taipei reviews: taxi meters and night-market overcharging. Many use Uber Taiwan or metered taxis.
💬Review highlights
“Airport taxi: meter off, long detour, 2× fare. Only corrected after I asked for a receipt.”
— PTT Tour board
“Shilin night market fruit stall with no price tag — weight trick, 3× charge. Many posts say confirm price first.”
— Taiwan travel forums
“Friendly local led me to a tea house — tea alone cost NT$20,000+. Reviews repeat: refuse stranger invites.”
— TripAdvisor · Taipei
Response Timeline
⏱Scam response timeline — Taipei
Review scam types for Taipei — Ximending, Shilin Night Market
Say no to 「Free」「Special」「VIP」and strangers leading you elsewhere
Relatively safe, but taxi and market pricing disputes are common. Foreigner line 0800-024-111.
Move to safety · report to Zhongzheng First Precinct
Report threats or violence immediately
Block cards · keep receipts, photos, chat logs
For insurance and disputes
Korean Mission in Taipei ☎ +886-2-2758-8299
Embassy first for fake-police or shakedown cases
Do This Right Now
In Taiwan
Relatively safe, but taxi and market pricing disputes are common. Foreigner line 0800-024-111.
Know local scam patterns
Ximending, Shilin Night Market — Taxi overcharge, Night market / shop widely reported
Refuse and leave
Relatively safe, but taxi and market pricing disputes are common. Foreigner line 0800-024-111.
Report to police
Foreigner line 0800-024-111 · Zhongzheng First Precinct 02-2381-7494
Collect evidence
Receipts, card slips, shop sign, CCTV location, witnesses
Embassy & insurance
+886-2-2758-8299 · 24hr travel insurance hotline
🗣 What to say (Mandarin (Taiwan))
我需要報案證明給保險公司。
How to pronounce (romanized)
Wǒ xūyào bàoàn zhèngmíng gěi bǎoxiǎn gōngsī (I need a police report certificate for my insurance company).
Show a translation app, or read slowly using the romanization above.
Common scam types
Taxi overcharge
Airport/station meter not on or long detour. Ask for receipt; app rides recommended.
Night market / shop
No price tags; fruit/seafood weight tricks. Ask price before accepting.
Tea house scam (rare)
Older reports: friendly local → tea house huge bill. Don't follow strangers.
Fake charity
Tourist areas petition/donation then pressure to pay.
Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Prevention | Free |
| Typical loss (reviews) | NT$500–30,000+ |
| Police report | Free |
Police
Zhongzheng First Precinct
- Address:
- Zhongzheng, Taipei
- Phone:
- 02-2381-7494
Mission
Korean Mission in Taipei
- Address:
- 1506, 333 Keelung Rd Sec 1, Taipei
- Phone:
- +886-2-2758-8299
- Website:
- https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/tw-ko
FAQ
Most common scam in Taipei?▼
Taxi overcharge — Airport/station meter not on or long detour. Ask for receipt; app rides recommended.
Can I get a refund?▼
Card payments: try chargeback/dispute. Cash/ATM coercion is often hard to recover — file a police report and contact your embassy.
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Taipei, Taiwan