'Horrifying New Trend': Warning About Deadly Practice Targeting Australian Travellers In Bali Bars And Nightclubs

The promise of a holiday romance abroad can be destroyed by skilled swindlers who target the lonely, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs warns.

The department has also raised the alarm about the dangers of inferior drinks, sometimes known as hooch or moonshine.

Foreign Affairs says adulterated liquor has killed young travellers and hospitalised others - especially in Asia.

So Australians heading overseas have now been officially warned of romance and dating scams, identity theft and credit card skimming as well as political volatility, train strikes, bushfires, volcanoes and now poisonous drinks made by unscrupulous bootleggers.

Foreign Affairs said travellers of all ages and backgrounds have been scammed overseas recently.

Males and females on the lookout for love often don’t report crimes against them out of sheer embarrassment.

Foreign Affairs warns Australians who have been ripped off have also been subjected to violent attacks.

“Some scammers are opportunistic, taking advantage of Australians already in their destination. Others, especially online scammers, begin their scam while the victim is still in Australia,” a spokesman said.

“They often lure their victims overseas with the promise of romance or money.’’

Unwary travellers may be naïvely lured into unlawful money laundering schemes.

Others have been arrested and jailed for unwittingly buying fake visas online.  

Foreign Affairs lists the eight most common cons as the airport taxi scam, the broken meter scam, fake accidents, overcharging, the “carry my bag scam’’, the “friend in need’’ scam, credit card skimming and fake damage claims around car or bike rentals.

But there is also a horrifying new trend involving nightclubs that serve alcoholic drinks made with highly toxic methanol.

“Alcohol production is less regulated in some destinations than in Australia,’’ the department warns.

“This can lead to methanol being used in the production process to lower costs. Methanol is highly toxic. As little as one shot can be fatal.

“Locals and foreigners, including Australians, have died, or become seriously ill from poisoned drinks in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Costa Rica and Turkey.’’

There have also been media reports of poisonings and deaths from illicit drinks in India and Vietnam.

Alcohol poisoning is common in Bali, where unscrupulous bar owners pump their alcohol with ethanol to save on production costs, reports news.com.au.

However, drinks passed off as vodka or other spirits that were illicitly manufactured with methanol were especially dangerous.

A couple of teaspoons could cause blindness or liver damage.

Doctors warn a mouthful could induce a coma or cause brain damage or death.

Meanwhile, travellers are asked to be wary of all kinds of travel scams.

Taxi scams operate from many international airports.

Who hasn’t been approached in an airport arrival hall by a jovial taxi trickster offering a flat rate the fare to your hotel?

“In many cases, the fees are much higher than metered fares,” a spokesman said.

These “friendly” taxi drivers may also offer to take you to shops where they receive a commission and where you will be overcharged or sold worthless goods.

The best advice is to take a licensed taxi from a rank.

And insist the driver uses a meter.

“Some taxi drivers don't use their meter, especially in tourist spots or traffic jams. This is illegal in most countries.”

The Australian government said some wary travellers even take a note of the vehicle number, the taxi company name and the driver's name.

Vehicle hire scams also persist.

“Jet ski, motorcycle and car hire scams can happen overseas. Australians have been harassed and threatened by transport operators for returning allegedly damaged hire vehicles,’’ the department said.

“Some operators have demanded thousands of dollars and taken passports as collateral — they will keep your passport until you pay for the damage.’’

The arrival of the world wide web has brought with it dozens of internet scams.

There is high demand for tickets and accommodation for major events, concerts, shows and festivals.

It really is safer to use a reputable travel agent like Flight Centre, Helloworld, Contiki or Intrepid.

Or take a cruise where escorted day trips are arranged for you.

Scammers set up fake websites or use genuine websites to post fake ads for hotel rooms and holiday rentals or offer fake accommodation and ticket packages.

And beware the massage or tea ceremony scams.

“In a massage or tea ceremony scam, you may be approached in public. You're invited for a massage, to a teahouse service, or to practise English at a nearby café or bar,” the department said.

“After the services have been provided, you will be given an inflated bill. You won't be allowed to leave until the bill is paid.

“Some Australians (who resist) have been violently assaulted.”

Other online scammers lure you overseas with promises of romance, money or jobs.

Rule number one: Don’t send any money to someone you have not met.

And in an overseas emergency where you are unable to contact an Australian embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas and on 1300 555 135 within Australia.

Shocking Video: Woman Shot, Killed At Point-Blank Range In Brooklyn