HCMC: Scammers outside the U.S. Consulate

[BinhJerome 14]

It is just not at the consulate, if there is anything that a foreigner might need done there are scammers there as well. We went to get my drivers license and there were people waiting outside the building where you get the application form and they stopped us, tried to get $100 USD to get me the license, and I still would have to pay for the consulate affadavit. They are also outside of the Department of Justice trying to get people to pay for help with the marriage license, these people want $300 for their services, and the sad thing is their pitch is so good, they can put doubt in almost anyone that has ever delt with Vietnam and legal documents. This is not really their scam, but their way of making a living, it is just sad that they do push some people so far. But as other posters have said they do have it in American big cities as well as all over the world. Jerome

BTW there other people here also doing scams, one guy is offering work permits guarenteed for $500. I think he is from Canada, and a few friends said that the Vietnamese people here do not "screw" people as hard as foreigners here, simply because they want your return business. There are Africans here and Canadians here that will do far worse to you from what I hear than any Vietnamese person would do.

Edited May 2, 2010 by jeromebinh

[SuperDuper! 230]

oh yeah dont let her walk alone, you're crazy for doing that. when i am in Vietnam my wife is always with me, nothing crazy has happen yet, other wise i open up a can of woop ####.

cant blame those viet dude for making a buck but damn, that sound strait like kidnapping.

I've seen these folks in person they were not that bad, just a little pushy that's all.

Dont get violent in a foreign country. You'll spend some time in jail or prison for it and find out how bad life can be. Instead, prevent a problem, and stay in the nicer areas where the tourists are. Peace.

[ScottThuy 140]

True that Hopp.. When 3 girls tried to rip a necklace from Thuy right next to me .. they ran away when Thuy screamed.. they got nothing.. a few minutes later here they came again and I was tempted to grab the one that attacked Thuy, by the throat, and shake the ####### out of her.... all I could picture was everyone seeing a huge American grabbing a small VN girl... I would end up in jail... not worth it..

[Teacher Mark 53]

Aussie arrested for deadly fight with local cabbie

Last updated: 4/30/2010 9:40

Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested an Australian man for allegedly killing a Vietnamese taxi driver in a conflict over fares on Wednesday.

Rolfe Darrell Alexander, 68, took a Saigon Tourist taxi driven by Le Van H., 41, to go to Phuong Dong Hotel in Tan Binh District from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport, district police said.

They made a deal that Alexander would pay H. VND200,000 (US$10.54) for the trip, police said..

On their way, Alexander wanted to get out because the driver kept driving around, said the tourist, who had arrived in HCMC from the central highlands resort town of Dalat.

But the driver didn’t do as he asked.

When H. stopped on Hoang Van Thu Street to ask local people for directions to the hotel, Alexander got off before paying him VND100,000.

The Vietnamese then ran after Alexander, and grabbed his luggage, police said.

Alexander the hit H. in face, at which point, the driver fell and lost consciousness.

The driver died from brain injuries before he was admitted to hospital, according to police.

Further investigation is ongoing.

http://www.thanhniennews.com/2010/Pages/20100430094502.aspx

[ScottThuy 140]

That was one heckof a punch! We have had the same thing happen before.. there are so many drivers that don'tknow the roads.. it once took us close to 2 hours toget to dist 1, because the driver took a very long way... we ended up having a huge argument over the price as he tried to change the agreed fixed price to a metered price... I was happy Thuy was there...

[Teacher Mark 53]

That was one heckof a punch! We have had the same thing happen before.. there are so many drivers that don'tknow the roads.. it once took us close to 2 hours toget to dist 1, because the driver took a very long way... we ended up having a huge argument over the price as he tried to change the agreed fixed price to a metered price... I was happy Thuy was there...

I'd hate to be in the Aussies sandals right now.

It is just not at the consulate, if there is anything that a foreigner might need done there are scammers there as well. We went to get my drivers license and there were people waiting outside the building where you get the application form and they stopped us, tried to get $100 USD to get me the license, and I still would have to pay for the consulate affadavit. They are also outside of the Department of Justice trying to get people to pay for help with the marriage license, these people want $300 for their services, and the sad thing is their pitch is so good, they can put doubt in almost anyone that has ever delt with Vietnam and legal documents. This is not really their scam, but their way of making a living, it is just sad that they do push some people so far. But as other posters have said they do have it in American big cities as well as all over the world. Jerome

BTW there other people here also doing scams, one guy is offering work permits guarenteed for $500. I think he is from Canada, and a few friends said that the Vietnamese people here do not "screw" people as hard as foreigners here, simply because they want your return business. There are Africans here and Canadians here that will do far worse to you from what I hear than any Vietnamese person would do.

[Darnell 8,478]

Interesting to note that 'Just Looking's account was closed here on VJ. WOW.

[ScottThuy 140]

Interesting to note that 'Just Looking's account was closed here on VJ. WOW.

I wonder who it really was...

Edited May 2, 2010 by ScottThuy

[john & jean 37]

I wonder who it really was...

B I G BROTHER!!!~

[Dai. 7]

B I G BROTHER!!!~

Are you talking about Anh Map?

[john & jean 37]

consulate employees........

[CoolHand2x2y2z 0]

consulate employees........

Really? Do you think those people care enough to troll? I doubt it (just my take).

[CoolHand2x2y2z 0]

Aussie arrested for deadly fight with local cabbie

Last updated: 4/30/2010 9:40

VND200,000 (US$10.54) for the trip, police said..

That is truly sad. Sometimes we go wayyy overboard with our reactions to things that actually don't amount to very much. A life and a ruined life, not to mention all the connected lives to this incident, for under $11 USD.

[Dai. 7]

That is truly sad. Sometimes we go wayyy overboard with our reactions to things that actually don't amount to very much. A life and a ruined life, not to mention all the connected lives to this incident, for under $11 USD.

The VN newspaper probably left out some important facts or the authorities were bending the truth to squeeze the foreigner. The Taxi cab guy probably assaulted him first before he swung his luggage. I think most foreigners are afraid of confrontation in fear of getting in trouble with the local authorities.

Some of the cab drivers in Saigon don't know the roads to well because most of the drivers come from the country side looking for work in the big city. But also like everyone knows they will try to scam you out of KM fare by going in circles and letting the meter run up. Whenever I take a taxi in VN and I know the route, I sometime don't tell the driver where the final destination is, I just tell them just to drive and I will tell them where to turn left or right. Some drivers will try to tell you there are better ways but they are mostly trying to scam if they persist on going a certain way. And if they are persistent in asking then I just tell them I don't know what the place is called, I just know how to get there.

Edited May 2, 2010 by Dai_Tx

[Ban Hammer 12,867]

Really? Do you think those people care enough to troll? I doubt it (just my take).

don't doubt - there's been posts about it in the canadian regional - i'd not be surprised if other locations did the same.