Scam City (2012– ) User Reviews

Funny show

[moodsentimental · 7/10 · 1 July 2019]

Just saw the NY episode. The presentor just bought a cheap perfume in China town and he suspects the perfume is not genuine. shocking. If he really wantwd to get scammed he should have entered every high priced hotel in NY, and then pay room tax + city tax + maid tax + maid tip + bartender tip... I suspect the biggest scam in the show is all the sensationalist editing and staged scenes.

Still, the show is quite entertaining and funny with some nice footage of cities around the world.

Unintentionally Hilarious Sometimes

[coolcatretro · 7/10 · 24 October 2023]

I discovered this old (+10 years) this British series on YouTube a few months ago and I've watched host Conor Woodman embarrass himself all over the world. Honestly, at first I thought it was a pretty bad 'documentary' series, although their travel footage is often very cool and interesting. But after a couple episodes I began to enjoy the hysterical bad luck, the honest stupidity, the bizarre commentary and Connor's quirky personality.

My take is that a crew of five of less travel around the world with hidden cameras trying to become scam victims. They're not usually successful - but that what makes it strangely entertaining for me. Frankly, the producers don't edit out all the unsuccessful events, misguided efforts and dumb mistakes - unlike every other 'reality show' on television.

The result is something that seems weirdly authentic because life rarely works the way you want it , like in this unusual broadcast time and again. That's not to say that some of this isn't set up or staged, no doubt there is a bit of that like most programs of this type. But astute viewers will easily tell reality from fiction, because Scam City is just bad at faking it - which is also endearing.

Space prevents a deep drive, but highlights include Coner roughed up in an Asian club because of stupidity, busting London massage parlors for hand jobs, dozens of taxi scams where he's left in the middle of nowhere (including the Sahara Desert!) and befriending a Thai Lady-Boy that shocks him with a willy in the end.

It all comes off slightly amateurish, but that's also it's charm. I find myself laughing out loud at how naïve the producers are, but the result is an entertaining attempt at sloppy gonzo journalism. And now that Conor is recognized internationally now, there's little chance this series with be revived, but take in an episode and see if you don't agree the 'so bad it's good' moniker doesn't fit like a glove.

Half scam, half truth

[info-16555-45300 · 5/10 · 28 April 2019]

The show itself appears to be filmed using hidden cameras, but it's clear that many, if not all, of the interactions are setups.

After watching only a couple episodes, the Buenos Aires episode is particularly questionable.

The host somehow discovers a major counterfeiting ring lead by a person named, "The Artist," while being scammed on the street. He then proceeds to find an underground counterfeiting group lead by heavily armed, drugged up, demonically masked criminals. He and his camera crew and translator were all taken there in a nice van. No evidence that they were ever hooded to conceal the location of these dangerous criminals, yet the criminals were more than happy to discuss their activities and show evidence of their work. What's the evidence? A table covered in neatly laid out counterfeit bills held down by a gun, loaded magazine and randomly scattered loose ammunition.

From there, the host and his entourage miraculously find themselves at the presumed home of the kingpin, "The Artist," who is apparently awaiting trial for his crimes. A strange coincidence, considering that indictment means that he has already been identified. A big deal in Buenos Aires, I presume, and it would make finding such a person much easier than working through the ranks of street criminals.

The information shared is genuine, and offers a lot of tips for travel safety. But when it comes to how this "docuseries" was made, don't believe everything you see. This was a film production and very few of the "scams" appear to have occurred organically.