Ep 4. Jerusalem

In Scam City season 2 episode 4, viewers are taken on a journey through the city of Jerusalem as host Conor Woodman explores the various scams and schemes it has to offer. From street vendors selling fake jewelry to taxi drivers taking the long route, Woodman looks at the various ways in which tourists can be taken advantage of in the holy city.

Woodman starts off in the Old City of Jerusalem, where he speaks with a local shop owner who specializes in selling religious artifacts. The shop owner shows Woodman how easy it is to manipulate tourists into buying fake relics by using emotional tactics and fake stories. Woodman then heads over to the Western Wall, where he has a conversation with a group of scam artists who pretend to be orthodox Jews and ask for donations from tourists. These scammers are well-organized and use their disguises to blend in with the crowd, making it difficult for unsuspecting tourists to spot them.

After exploring the Old City, Woodman heads over to the Mahane Yehuda market, one of the largest markets in Jerusalem. He speaks with several vendors who sell spices, sweets, and other goods, and they reveal to him the various schemes they use to sell their products. For instance, some vendors use cheap tricks to make their spices look more expensive, while others rely on the power of persuasion to make tourists purchase their goods.

Next, Woodman goes on a tour of the city with a local taxi driver, who takes him to several popular tourist sites. While on the tour, the driver reveals to Woodman the various scams taxi drivers use to overcharge tourists. For example, some drivers will take the long route to a destination in order to increase their fare, while others will charge an exorbitant amount for luggage.

Woodman then heads over to the Israeli Museum, where he speaks with an art expert who shows him how forgeries are created. The expert explains how art forgers manipulate the materials and techniques used in creating masterpieces, and how they are able to fool even the most experienced art collectors.

Finally, Woodman speaks with a local detective who specializes in detecting and preventing scams. The detective reveals to Woodman the various scams he's encountered over the years, including fake tour guides, pickpockets, and credit card fraud. The detective offers tips and advice to tourists on how to avoid falling victim to these scams.

Overall, Scam City season 2 episode 4 provides viewers with an eye-opening look at the various ways in which tourists can be taken advantage of in Jerusalem. From emotional manipulation to outright lies, the scams and schemes explored in this episode are both shocking and informative.