Security Briefing: Crime

This information has been excerpted from the following: 1) the US Department of State's "International Travel" website (travel.state.gov/travel/), 2) the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's "Smartraveller" website (www.smartraveller.gov.au), and 3) the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office's "Foreign Travel Advice" website (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/). Additional information is available from these sources. World Trade Press annually assesses the information presented on this page.

United States: Department of State International Travel Information

When visiting China, you should always take routine safety precautions and pay attention to your surroundings.  Petty theft remains the most prevalent type of crime encountered.  Pickpockets target tourists at sightseeing destinations, airports, crowded subways, markets, and stores.   Make sure you guard your passport and wallet, as most incidents tend to involve items kept in back pockets, backpacks, or bags/purses swung over a shoulder or set down in a taxi, another vehicle, a restaurant, or a shop.

Narcotics-related crimes and use are also on the rise in China.  Chinese law enforcement authorities have little tolerance for illegal drugs, and they periodically conduct widespread sweeps of bar and nightclub districts, targeting narcotics distributors and drug users.  Expatriates from various countries have been detained in such police actions.

Con artists targeting visitors are also common in popular tourist sites.    A common scam involves younger Chinese “English students,” often women or a couple, offering a local tour and an invitation to tea at a nearby restaurant.   When the bill comes, the restaurant owners force victims to pay an exorbitant bill before they can leave the premises.    

Taxi drivers, especially at airports, sometimes target arriving travelers, refusing to use the meter or claiming they are a limousine and can charge higher fares.   Always have the name of your destination written in Chinese to show the driver, and get a receipt when you arrive at your destination.  It is a good practice to keep valuables such as purses, camera bags, and computer cases next to you or in your lap rather than in a less-accessible area of the taxi.   Ask the driver to remove the bags from the trunk before you get out of the taxi and before you pay, so he cannot drive away with your luggage.

Do not buy counterfeit or pirated goods, even if they are widely available.   Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States; if you purchase them, you may also be breaking local law.  Some U.S. citizens report that items purchased, even at state-owned or museum stores, believed to be antiques or genuine gems are later determined to be reproductions.

Counterfeit currency is a significant concern in China.    Cab drivers and businesses have given many people, not just tourists, counterfeit currency.  Carrying small bills or using exact change, particularly in taxis, can help protect you.  Some merchants will switch a large bill with a counterfeit bill and return it to you, claiming that you passed them the counterfeit bill.   If you must pay with RMB 100 bills, it may be useful to note the last few serial numbers before paying in case they get switched.   There have been cases of people receiving counterfeit bills from free-standing ATMs.  Use only ATMs at financial institutions or those recommended by your hotel.

Political protest is not legal or permitted in China and is rarely encountered by foreigners.   Travelers who have attempted to engage in political protest activities in public places have been deported quickly, in some cases at their own expense, usually before the U.S. Embassy is aware of the situation. 

Participating in unauthorized political activities or protests against Chinese policy in China may result in lengthy detentions and may impact your eligibility for future visas to visit China.   Foreigners engaging in pro-Falun Gong or pro-Tibetan activities have been detained or immediately deported from China, usually at their own expense, after being questioned.  Several reported they were subject to interrogations and were physically abused during detention.  In addition, some alleged that personal property, including clothing, cameras, and computers, was not returned.   

U.S. citizens have been detained and expelled for distributing religious literature.   Chinese customs authorities have enforced strict regulations concerning the importation of religious literature, including Bibles.   If you bring religious literature with you, it should be a "reasonable amount” for your personal use only.  If you attempt to bring larger quantities, the literature will likely be confiscated and you may be fined, detained, or deported.

Victims of Crime

If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates).   We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and, if you want us to, we can contact family members or friends on your behalf.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in China is “110”; however, very few English speakers staff this hotline.   Please note that the local police can be reached only by calling “110” from the location where the crime occurred.  Remember that if your passport is stolen, you must not only apply for a new passport at the U.S. Embassy or consulate but must also apply for a new visa.  To receive the new visa, Chinese visa officials may require that you file a police report about your stolen passport at the police station nearest to where the theft occurred.  You may also be directed to file a report at the local Entry/Exit Bureau as well.  If someone steals your passport, save yourself possible inconvenience by filing the police report right away.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Travel Advice

Petty crime directed at foreigners, particularly pick pocketing, purse snatching and theft of laptops, passports and mobile phones occurs. Resisting can lead to violence or injury. Travellers have been targeted on overnight long distance trains and buses and on public transport. Foreigners have been assaulted and robbed, particularly in popular expatriate gathering areas including the bar and shopping precincts of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other major cities.

Foreigners have also been targets of a number of scams when travelling in China. An increasing number of tourists are being approached and invited for a drink at a teahouse, cafe or bar nearby for an number of reasons including “to practice English”. Afterwards the tourist is presented with a vastly inflated bill and is not permitted to leave until they pay the bill by credit card. Physical violence, including serious assault, and credit card skimming or duplication has occurred.

There have been reports of foreign travellers being drugged and robbed in China after accepting offers of food, drink or transportation from strangers.

There have been incidents of ATM scams including the use of fake ATMs that take the user's card. ATM robberies are also common. It is recommended you use ATMs when accompanied, inside a secure place such as a bank, and during daylight hours to reduce risks.

If you are the victim of petty crime or a scam, you should report it immediately to the local police. Even though they may not be able to get your money or goods back, they can issue you with an official loss report for insurance purposes.

For further information on how to reduce your risk on various types of scams visit the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's SCAMwatch website at www.scamwatch.gov.au.

There is a risk of armed bandit attacks in remote areas bordering Pakistan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Russia. You should be vigilant if travelling in these areas.

United Kingdom: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Foreign Travel Advice

Foreigners can be targeted for passports, laptops, mobile phones, purses and handbags. Major tourist sites and areas frequented by foreigners attract thieves and pickpockets. Take extra care at major tourist sites, street markets, Beijing International Airport, major international events and conferences and popular bar areas after dark. If your passport is lost or stolen, report it to the nearest police station or Public Security Bureau, who will issue a ‘confirmation of loss’ report. Don’t resist any attempted robbery.

Serious crime against foreigners is relatively rare, but incidents do occur. There have been incidents of sexual assault and robbery of foreigners, particularly when travelling alone in a taxi late at night in major cities. Where possible, take an ‘official’ taxi, make sure someone knows where you are and try to take a note of the taxi’s number.

There are occasional incidents with taxi and pedicab drivers who insist the passenger misunderstood the fare. Avoid travelling in unmarked or unmetered ‘taxis’ and insist on paying only the meter fare. Ask the driver for a receipt (fapiao), on which the taxi number should be printed. You can take this to the police to lodge a complaint.

Counterfeit bank notes (especially RMB100) are increasingly common. They are generally crumpled to avoid detection. Unscrupulous traders may try to switch your genuine bank notes for counterfeits. Check carefully before accepting notes. It is quite normal to do so.

Beware of scams particularly in popular tourist areas. A regular example is the ‘tea tasting’ scam. Scams usually involve a foreign national being invited to visit a bar, shop or cafe for example to practice English or meet a girl - but results in demands for an exorbitant fee, often payable by credit card. This can result in threats of violence or credit card fraud.

Don’t trek alone in isolated areas, including those that follow parts of the Great Wall. If you do, leave your itinerary, mobile number and expected time of return at your hotel or with a third party.

Areas bordering on Siberia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Laos and Burma are poorly policed. In Yunnan Province, drug smuggling and other crimes are increasing. There is a risk of attack from armed bandits in remote areas.

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