Ep 1. Rio De Janeiro

Scam City is a show that delves into the dark world of scams and illegal activities that takes place in tourist destinations around the world. The first season of the show features city episodes where the host, Conor Woodman, takes viewers on a journey to uncover the scams and crimes perpetrated against unsuspecting tourists.

In the first episode of season one, titled Rio De Janeiro, Woodman travels to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Brazil to uncover the scams that are prevalent in the city. As he arrives in Rio, he shows viewers the beauty of the city while highlighting the risks that visitors face when they come to a new place.

Throughout the episode, Woodman is on a mission to show viewers how easy it is to be conned in Rio, especially if tourists are not careful. He does this by infiltrating the criminal underworld, teaming up with locals to uncover some of the most common scams that plague the city.

One of the scams that Woodman encounters on his first night in the city is a taxi driver who takes him to a different location than the one he requested. The taxi driver then demands an exorbitant amount of money to take Woodman to his intended destination, threatening him with violence if he does not comply. Woodman shows viewers how to avoid this scam by pre-booking a taxi or using ride-hail apps like Uber.

Next, Woodman is shown how criminals use skimming devices to steal money from unsuspecting tourists who use ATMs in the city. He visits a store that sells these illegal devices and shows viewers how easy it is for criminals to use them to steal money from bank accounts. Woodman advises viewers to only use ATMs that are located inside banks or hotels to avoid being scammed.

Woodman also uncovers the notorious 'drug dealer' scam that is prevalent in Rio. He visits a favela (slum) in the city and shows viewers how the gangs operate. Drug dealers approach tourists on the streets, offering to sell them drugs. Once the tourists agree to buy the drugs, the dealers call the police, who then arrest the tourists and extort money from them to secure their release. Woodman advises viewers to never buy drugs on the streets of Rio and to only visit the favelas on guided tours.

Finally, Woodman shows viewers how easy it is to be pickpocketed in Rio. He visits some of the busiest areas in the city, including the beaches and the metro, and demonstrates how criminals use distraction techniques to steal from tourists. He advises viewers to keep their valuables hidden and to be vigilant when in crowded areas.

Overall, Scam City season 1 episode 1 is an eye-opening exploration of the scams and crimes that tourists face when they visit Rio de Janeiro. Conor Woodman's undercover investigations uncover some of the most common scams in the city, and his advice will undoubtedly help viewers to stay safe when they visit the Brazilian capital.