If you’ve read about Asia, then there’s a good chance you’ve seen threads on local sex scams. Tourists and travelers always seem to get sucked into these. And they’re expensive, and stressful, situations to get out of.

This article will break down some of the more prominent hustles, while also giving you the tools you need to avoid each swindle.

It’s important information, especially if you’re planning to travel abroad in the near future.

1. Online Romance And Webcam Sex Scams

The following two situations will sound stupidly easy to avoid, yet millions of men continue to fall for them.

They’re romance and webcam sex scams that generally target Westerners moving to (but not yet in) Asia. Both are Internet based, and most of these two scams are pulled by crafty Filipinas.

I’ll explain.

Romance scams are generally aimed at older men, and their usually orchestrated through sappy “true love” dating sites with syrupy names (like “Christian Soul Mate Finder [dot] com,” or something like that).

Anyway, what happens is this. Some girl contacts you and is very friendly. You start chatting, and early on in the conversation, she brings up some tragic family story (like she’s working as a waitress to support her sick mom).

The conversation eventually gets back to normal, and the two of you keep chatting for days, weeks, months, etc…

At some point, however, the girl busts out an even sadder story. There’s been a huge tragedy and she needs money, now. This is usually a large, but acquirable amount. Maybe somewhere between $2,000 to $10,000.

A considerable sum, but still reasonable enough for most older dudes to payout.

Once the money is transferred over, the girl disappears.

Like I said, this scam sounds easily avoidable, but lots of men get suckered into it.

A friend’s uncle fell for the same ploy (but through a Ukrainian dating site) and he ended up forking over $10,000. Once he wisened up and went to the police, he discovered that his “true love” was pulling the same con on dozens of guys. All at the same time.

The Webcam Shakedown

While romance swindles are long-cons (meaning they might take months before you’re hit up for money), webcam sex scams are a lot quicker. They also target a younger crowd.

I first learned about this situation from browsing a 4Chan thread. NEETs and shut-in types are the target demographic. Though some hyper aggressive online daters also fall for it (think guys who write “send nudes” as their opening message).

Anyway, here’s the gist of things.

You’re on a more hook-up oriented site and a cute girls messages you. She’s flirting, and eventually asks if you have Skype.

Once you’ve added her, she wants to have webcam sex.

Sounds great, right?

Well, you’re secretly being recorded.

Once you’re done, she threatens to send the video to all your friends and family (usually by posting it on Facebook or something like that) unless you pay her.

At this point you have too options: let Aunt Edna see you beating off, or Western Union some scammer $200.

Like the previous scam, this one’s fairly easy to avoid (don’t get naked in front of a camera). However, guys still fall for it on a regular basis.

How To Avoid Online Romance Scams

Both the situations above are easy to sidestep. Use some common sense, and don’t let your emotions control your actions.

Other than that, my only other suggestion is this: join an online dating site that’s actually reliable.

Sites like VietnamCupid or ThaiFriendly vet users and have systems for reporting (and banning) scammers. Additionally, both are popular enough that you’ll find a wide variety of women on them. If you want hook-ups, or dating, or marriage, it’s all there.

By being well-rounded, these places keep out predatory accounts who exploit the more romantic or sexually focused sites

Also, if you are a man who gets overly attached to women online, go read a book on dating. Models is an excellent title and it does a good job helping guys overcome their “hopeless romantic” type tendencies.

2. Club And Bar Scams

(Soi Cowboy, Bangkok)

Nightclubs are a magnet for scumbags. This true all around the world: from New York to Bangkok. You get a lot of drunk people together in a room, and bad things happen.

As far as danger goes, Asian clubs are pretty safe.

You still get your usual gangsters and hookers, plus everything is overpriced, but no one owns a gun and people generally stick to themselves. That said, there are two fairly common scams in a lot of hooker friendly bars. And they’ve both duped many men.

Here’s what happens.

In the first scam, some women invite you over to have a drink with them. They ask you to buy them a beer or cocktail, sip it while chatting with you, and then leave.

Once they’re gone, someone comes over and gives you the bill.

It’s for all the drinks these girls had that night, and it’s usually several hundred dollars. Then you’re forced to pay.

A guy I went to high school with had this happen to him while on spring break in Hong Kong. I don’t remember the details, but he ended up paying out over $700 while being held at knife point (the club was gang connected).

The second scam is a little different.

This one happens after some guy hires a hooker. At his hotel, she drugs him with knockout drops. Then robs him blind while he’s passed out in bed.

At one point, this was pretty common in Cambodia and a lot of men died or suffered permanent health problems because of it. The hooker drugging them used too many knockout drops, causing these guys to overdose or suffer serious organ failure.

Avoiding This Issue

While being drugged or held up by gangsters sounds scary, it’s an unlikely situation.

Most major nightclubs won’t tolerate this. And the majority of drinking establishments are safe (though still loud, expensive, and filled with idiots).

Cities like Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, and Tokyo are all bigger than their Western counterparts. Likewise, many of these urban areas (including Bangkok) are safer and better regulated than a place like New York or London.

Most crime is done mafia-style (between big syndicates of warring factions), and you’re “Average Joe” won’t have any problems.

The guys getting robbed by hookers or ripped off at seedy bars are usually already into something illegal (like trying to buy drugs, or thinking they’re picking up underage prostitutes). Criminals know that these dudes are less likely to report what’s happened to them, so they’re an easy target for theft.

If want to go out and hit up various nightclubs, you’ll be fine. Just do a little research beforehand to see which ones are safe and which are prone to scams (hint: all the popular ones are “above board).

3. The Pregnancy Trap

(More Guys Should Take Advice From This Song)

Most of the stuff we’ve discussed is a once time issue. Getting shaken down in the club, or being blackmailed over a sex tape is small potatoes to what comes next.

Being stuck with a kid is an 18 year commitment.

And it’s made worse if you’re stuck with some chick you don’t actually like.

This scam’s prevalent through all of Asia (and much of the Western world too, think of all the athletes forced to pay child support), causing problems for many men.

As far as situations go, this one’s self-explanatory. Some girl (usually one met through a one-nightstand (I rarely hear of long-term girlfriends pulling this)), lets you blast inside her. Then you spend the next two decades shoveling out money.

The Easiest Way To Avoid This (Within Reason)

Okay, so a good way to prevent unwanted pregnancy from ever happening is by never having sex. But, that’s not going to happen. Plus, your life wouldn’t be very fun either.

More realistically, wear a condom.

Or at least don’t creampie random chicks you’ve just met.

If you’re really worried, get a vasectomy. I think they’re free in Thailand, and it’s a good way to avoid having kids.

A friend of mine’s done this, and he never has to worry about pregnancy scares.

It’s decent option worth considering.

Closing Thoughts

Many of these situations boil down to the old adage: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

If random women want Skype sex, or a table full of girls invite you over for drinks with them, be cautious.

Not all these situations lead to trouble, but you have to assess the situation and figure out what’s going on. If something seems fishy, walk away. It’ll save you from needless trouble and anxiety.

P.S. If you want to learn more about securing yourself in Asia, then you’ll enjoy reading my other article: Vietnam Safety Tips: How To Protect Yourself While Traveling.