Las Vegas
A resort city famed for its vibrant nightlife, centered around 24-hour casinos and other entertainment options.
Police
911
Ambulance
911
Tourist Police
N/A
Risk Map & Attractions
Common Scams
The Costumed Character Photo Trap
Street performers (showgirls, superheroes, Elvis impersonators) offer a photo op without mentioning a price, then aggressively demand $20-$50 or more per person after the photo is taken, pressuring tourists into paying.
Always ask the price *before* posing for a picture. Politely but firmly refuse if they become aggressive and walk away.
The Long-Haul Taxi Ride
Taxi and rideshare drivers intentionally take an unnecessarily long route (e.g., circling via the highway instead of a direct route like Paradise Road) to inflate the fare, turning a $20 trip into $40 or more.
Use rideshare apps for transparent pricing, or insist on the flat-rate fare offered at the airport taxi stand. Know the direct route and speak up if the driver deviates.
The Pickpocket Distraction
Thieves work in teams in crowded areas like the Strip and Fremont Street. One person creates a distraction (e.g., bumping into you, spilling a drink, or drawing attention to a street performer) while an accomplice steals wallets, phones, or bags.
Keep your wallet in a front pocket, carry bags across your body and keep them zipped, and remain alert in dense crowds. Use hotel safes for valuables.
The Fake Escort Flyer Scam
Flyers advertising 'Girls Direct to Your Room' are handed out on the Strip. Calling the number often leads to a scam where you are charged an absurd 'service fee' with no follow-through, or worse, it's a setup for theft or assault when the person arrives.
Solicitation is illegal in Las Vegas. Ignore the flyers and trucks. Only use legal, regulated adult entertainment services.
The Counterfeit Casino Chip Hustle
Hustlers approach tourists on the casino floor offering to sell 'discounted' casino chips, claiming they don't have time to cash them in. The chips are often counterfeit, old, or no longer honored by the casino, leaving the buyer with worthless plastic.
Only obtain chips directly from a casino's cashier cage or a dealer at a gaming table. Never buy chips from strangers on the floor.
The 'Free Gift' Street Pressure
A scammer will aggressively place a 'free' item (e.g., a bracelet, CD, or beaded necklace) into your hand or onto your body. Once you accept, they immediately demand a 'tip' or payment, often becoming confrontational if you refuse.
Politely but firmly refuse anything handed to you on the street. Keep your hands in your pockets and keep walking past aggressive vendors.
The Fake Pizza/Restaurant Flyer
Unauthorized menus are slipped under hotel room doors, advertising non-existent restaurants. Calling the number risks handing over credit card information to a scammer, or receiving low-quality, unsafe food from an unregulated operation.
Only order food from reputable, well-known restaurants or through official delivery apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash. Call the hotel concierge to verify any flyer.
The Exorbitant ATM Fee Trap
ATMs located inside casinos, clubs, and high-traffic Strip locations routinely charge excessive transaction fees, often ranging from $6 to $12 per withdrawal. Tourists making multiple small withdrawals quickly see fees pile up.
Withdraw larger amounts less often, or seek out bank-affiliated ATMs off the Strip where fees are lower. Bring enough cash to minimize ATM use.
The Fake Dispensary Trick
Storefronts on the Strip mimic licensed cannabis dispensaries but are not legally allowed to sell THC products (Nevada law requires distance from casinos). They sell overpriced novelty items, hemp, or non-psychoactive herbs, tricking tourists into thinking they bought legal marijuana.
Only visit licensed dispensaries, which are typically located off the main Strip. Check for official licensing and avoid any 'dispensary' directly on the Strip.
The Nightclub Promoter Bait-and-Switch
Street promoters promise 'VIP' access, free drinks, or discounted entry to clubs. Tourists pay the promoter via cash or Venmo, only to find they are not on the guest list or are asked to pay a second, higher fee at the club door.
Book entry directly through the club's official website, a hotel concierge, or a verified promotional partner. Never pay cash to a street promoter.
Safe Attractions
The Strip
A stretch of South Las Vegas Boulevard known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos.
Bellagio Fountains
A complex water feature with choreographed performances set to light and music.