Greece: Warning Against Financial Troubles

Despite repeated warnings issued since last year regarding incidents of “money lent to strangers not being returned,” several similar cases have been reported recently. Recovering money lent to strangers is extremely difficult. If approached by someone requesting financial assistance, exercise caution and avoid trusting them too easily.
Specifically, incidents have been reported at Athens Airport and within the city, where a man claiming to be Greek approaches Japanese individuals and asks them to “talk to a Japanese person over the phone.” Afterward, he requests financial assistance for purchasing a mobile SIM card or for exchange fees. Cases have been reported where contact information is exchanged, and verbal promises of repayment are made, but the money is never returned. In some cases, the cash was handed over only for the individual to immediately flee.
This individual often shows their ID and approaches solo Japanese travelers, speaking fluently in Japanese or English, exploiting their kindness to request financial aid. If approached by a stranger asking for payment advances or similar assistance, do not trust them easily. Walk away, avoid sharing your contact information, and act with extreme caution.