Scam or Real — Travel Scam Awareness Party Game

Why It Works

Two birds. One trivia game. (Both birds are scams.)

Every backpacker has been scammed. We turned the survival skill into a party game. Vote on real-world scenarios — half are real scams, half are legitimate offers that just sound suspicious. Learn while you party.

01 — TEACHES YOU TO SPOT A SCAM

Every wrong guess earns you knowledge.

Wrong = take a dare. But also = you now know the "Bangkok Grand Palace closed" scam. The rules of the game make you smarter on your next trip.

02 — REAL EXAMPLES

Every scenario is documented.

The gold ring scam in Paris. The fake monks in Bangkok. The 'free' bracelet in Barcelona. These aren't made up — these have all happened to real travelers.

03 — REAL OFFERS TOO

Half the scenarios are LEGITIMATE.

Couchsurfing. WWOOF. Iranian taarof hospitality. Sleeping in Korean jjimjilbangs. The real ones sound suspicious because they're too generous to be true. Spoiler: they're real.

Sample Scenarios

Test yourself.

100 scenarios in the deck. Here are 4 to test your scam radar — answers and explanations included.

NB·14 · 01

In Bangkok, a tuk-tuk driver tells you the Grand Palace is "closed for a Buddhist holiday" and offers to take you to a "special" temple instead.

🚨 SCAM

Classic Bangkok scam. The Palace is rarely closed. They route you to gem shops or tailors that pay them commission.

NB·14 · 02

In Iran, a stranger invites you home for tea and dinner with no expectation of payment.

✅ REAL

Iranian hospitality (taarof) is genuine and world-famous. Just bring a small gift to be polite.

NB·14 · 03

In Cusco, an "authentic Incan shaman" offers a private ayahuasca ceremony for $50 in his uncle's mountain hut.

🚨 SCAM

Major red flags. Real ayahuasca retreats cost $300+ for safety reasons (preparation, certified facilitators, integration). Solo ceremonies in unknown locations are dangerous.

NB·14 · 04

In Korean jjimjilbangs (24-hour spa houses), you can sleep overnight in shared rooms for $10-15.

✅ REAL

Legitimate backpacker secret. Bring an eye mask for the lights. Communal but clean.

How To Play

Pick a player. Vote. Reveal. Learn.

01

Read the scenario

Phone picks a random player to answer (every player goes once before anyone repeats), then shows a real travel situation.

02

That player decides

SCAM 🚨 or REAL ✅? They debate with the group, then tap the answer.

03

Reveal & learn

Right = safe. Wrong = take a dare. Either way, you read the explanation and learn the actual mechanic.

Related Games

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Real.

Two birds. One trivia game. (Both birds are scams.)

Every wrong guess earns you knowledge.

Every scenario is documented.

Half the scenarios are LEGITIMATE.

Test yourself.

Pick a player. Vote. Reveal. Learn.

Read the scenario

That player decides

Reveal & learn

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Scam orReal.

Two birds. One trivia game. (Both birds are scams.)

Every wrong guess earns you knowledge.

Every scenario is documented.

Half the scenarios are LEGITIMATE.

Test yourself.

Pick a player. Vote. Reveal. Learn.

Read the scenario

That player decides

Reveal & learn

Try one of these next.

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Would You Rather

Save your wallet. Drink anyway.

Scam or
Real.