This one sounds like something that shouldn’t work.

But it does.

How it usually happens

You’re walking through the center.
Someone approaches you.

Friendly. Calm. Normal.

“Exchange? Good rate. No commission.”

You hesitate for a second.

They don’t look dangerous.
They might even speak decent English.

And the offer sounds better than what you’ve seen in exchange offices.

So you stop.

The moment it goes wrong

You agree on the rate.

You hand over euros.

They count quickly, talk to you, maybe distract you for a second.

Then they hand you cash.

Looks fine.

You walk away.

And then you look closer

The money feels… different.

The numbers are strange.

You check again.

It’s not Czech crowns.

It’s Belarusian rubles.
Or some other currency that looks similar enough at first glance.

And by the time you realize it:

They’re gone.

We go through real examples like this on our tours.

Why this works

Because it happens fast.

Because people are:

• tired
• just arrived
• thinking about something else

And because the situation feels almost normal.

That’s the trick.

Important point

This is not a “bad deal”.

This is a scam.

There is no version of this where you win.

Simple rule

If anyone approaches you on the street and mentions money:

👉 walk away immediately

No discussion. No curiosity.

Just keep moving.

What to do instead

If you need cash:

• use a bank ATM
• or go to a proper exchange office

(never on the street)

Final thought

Prague is generally very safe.

But this is one of the few situations where someone is actively trying to take advantage of you.

And the easiest way to avoid it is simple:

Don’t engage.

Want to avoid this kind of stuff completely?

If something feels slightly off, it usually is.If you’d rather skip the guesswork and just get Prague explained properly:

→ See tours