With golden beaches, cosmopolitan cities, rich culture and colorful festivals from the many ethnicities that live within it, Malaysia is a country that needs visiting. The country that is fast gaining traction as a good backpacking destination akin to its neighbor Thailand is can be explored on a low budget and is very welcoming of foreign travelers. It, as with any tourist hotspot does, however, come with its fair share of scams and vices.

1. Fake merchandise

Malaysia with a multitude of large malls is a great place for shopping. Travelers are however warned to be wary of goods that are cheap and too good to be true as they are counterfeits.

How to avoid- the only shop in reputed stores and if the price is too good to be true, walk away.

2. The tourist police

Con men dressed in clothes that appear rather official will stop you on your tracks and ask for proof of legal stay or insist on checking your bags for drugs. They will then claim that your visa has issues or plant drugs and ask for bribes to let you off.

How to avoid- ask for proof of authority and insist on going to the police station to clear matters if threatened with missing documents or possession of drugs.

3. Spiking drinks

Malaysia has a thriving nightlife and instances of drinks being spiked to rob foreigners have been reported.

How to avoid- watch the preparation of your drinks and keep a careful eye over your drinks.

4. Taxis without meters

Taxis without meters have been known to charge exorbitant fares at the end of the journey.

How to avoid- insist on the meter being turned on prior to starting the journey

5. Children that beg or sell flowers

Children that beg or sell flowers are a common sight in the more congested tourist hot spots in Malaysia. These children are employed by organized gangs who take their earnings leaving very little for the children.

How to avoid- do not purchase or make donations to such children as that will only encourage the gangs behind these children.

6. ATM skimming

With increasing reports of ATM skimming, it is wise to ensure the ATM you use is one that is safe and will not compromise your financial data.

How to avoid- use ATMs that are in well-lit areas or in locations such as banks and malls which makes it difficult to install additional hardware for con men.

7. Rogue hotspots

There is an increasing number of rogue WIFI hotspots that are proving tourists with free internet. The administrator of these networks harvest data from the end-users and use it for his advantage.

How to avoid- only connect to and use networks that you trust

8. Touts

There will be touts everywhere trying to lure you with offers of cheap tickets. These tickets are often fake and will only get you in trouble with the transport authority.

How to avoid- say no firmly and purchase your tickets from authorized ticketing centers.

9. Card game scams

Do not practice your gambling with locals at a place of their choosing. Such places are rigged and the only outcome is you losing your hard-earned money.

How to avoid- say no to offers of card games no matter how tempting it is. Remember, the house always wins

10. Fake monks

Con men garbed in yellow robes will approach you and ask for donations to their temples. This is a scam as no monk will reach out and ask for donations as such.

How to avoid- feign confusion and apologize for not having any money and walk away.