Strip Club in Krakow, Poland - AVOID AVOID AVOID - FINANCIAL SCAM

[geostorm1]

Not sure if this is 100% relevant but wanted to share my experience anyway to help people avoid a huge scam happening in Poland (Krakow) with strip clubs.

I was there travelling recently and was invited into a strip club under the guise of free drinks. Went in and had 1 shot, which I strongly believe was laced with some drug like GHB because the next few hours are hazy, but basically they put me in a private room with a girl - great I thought, might get some action in there, but basically the scam is to drug you and then keep making you pay with your bank cards, lying about the amount and the currency (saying it is in PLN rather than GBP but actually it is GBP).

Long story short they got £8000 out of my accounts whilst I had no idea what was going on. I had to come home the following day so didn't really have much chance to report it to the police, plus I was a bit shell shocked and on the phone with all of my banks all morning. The bank are raising a fraud case but aren't hopeful of getting it back due to it being a debit card and I used my pin code to authorise the transactions (4 lots of £2000).

After reading online this is a huge ongoing scam where they lure you in, spike your drink, empty your bank accounts and you have no idea what happened until you check your phone in the morning.

Please for the love of god do NOT enter these establishments under any circumstances !!!

[bigmike32]

Scary stuff i have heard of stuff like that happening. Best to name the club so any member on here travelling to krakow can avoid that specific club.

[bhudda]

Scary stuff i have heard of stuff like that happening. Best to name the club so any member on here travelling to krakow can avoid that specific club.

a quick google suggests avoiding any strip club in poland.

And never ever use a card in any strip club any where in the world!! if you think you may be rendered incapable of sensible behaviour by alcohol or drugs ... leave the card at home/hotel and just take cash, or a pre-paid card. 

[wombat42]

Just appalling. Sadly most strip clubs most places in the world seem to be scam outfits. I check any online reviews such as Google reviews very carefully before venture in any.

Yes it is good idea to leave your card behind if you venture into one.

[geostorm1]

Don't think I can edit my post but I think the name of the club was Diamond but it seems they are all bad - avoid them all in Poland

[wombat42]

Not entirely bad in Gdansk apparently https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=260640.msg2663870#msg2663870

[David1970]

I was in Krakow earlier this year and there were young lads approaching single guys on the street to go to strip clubs. I was handed flyers by the young lads, but said no thanks.
I spoke to a Polish SP back UK about it and she said strip clubs were well know for scams, but the police do nothing.

[Hansolo69]

Simple advice would be never take credit or debit cards with you if visting a strip club.   
Take cash

[hawkzville]

I was in Krakow at the beginning of the year; prior to the visit I read some of the scare stories about the clubs online first so went with the intention of avoiding them.

Sure enough I was absolutely "hounded" by mostly men, but a few woman who were all very friendly, said all the right stuff etc to try to lure me in - free drinks, free private dances etc etc and whilst I was incredibly tempted (ie not to even take a drink at all, but just to go in for a nose) I didn't. After a couple of days of this the touts began to recognise me walking around and became insulting and intimidating to the extent that I just avoided the areas completely in the end - it really did ruin Krakow for me as for the last couple of days of the trip I was literally looking over my shoulder because groups of touts would follow me for 20/30 yards calling me names!

My advice would be to just not even engage with the touts; once they twig that you are a foreign visitor they won't leave you alone.

[wombat42]

I was in Krakov myself back in July but fortunately did not get touts.

[winkywanky]

I was in Krakow earlier this year and there were young lads approaching single guys on the street to go to strip clubs. I was handed flyers by the young lads, but said no thanks.
I spoke to a Polish SP back UK about it and she said strip clubs were well know for scams, but the police do nothing.

Quite possibly because they are on the take.

I got mugged outside a club in Majorca a few years ago - a young lad came from across the road and tried to get me to go in, arm round me etc, I told him to fuck off and then later I realised I'd been done.

The local police were useless and then in a local bar a couple of days later I found out why: the owner of the bar said that 2wks previously, a local cop was seen being frogmarched off by police from the mainland.

[elihd]

I feel so sorry for you and I hope the bank will get your money back. Personally I never take any my debit card when I go punting or going to a strip club, whether thats in the UK or abroad. I always bring cash + Monzo/ revolut card (most I brought was E500 cash). If in Europe I will always pay by contactless whether in strip club or just in a night out with people I met during travel. Now I don't know how old you as some people "dont want" to use Credit card or don't know what Monzo/revolut....etc. If you don't know, Learn. If you don't want that's your personal choice therefore if like this happens it is not the banks fault, it is your fault. I worked in a bank call center in my university days and I handled a few people shouting at me with similar case like this one. Their argument is that " why did the bank let the transaction go though??" As I mentioned I hope the bank able to put the money back in your account.

[Swisshunter]

I had a similar incident in Split, Croatia. The strip club near the main bus stop. Avoid that at all costs. I hope your bank can do better than mine at assisting you with this

[MrMatrix]

I never take my bank card abroad. One CC and it has a spending limit of £1K last time I looked, but always have cash. Same rule for punting really no CCs ever.
Bad luck OP and thanks for the heads up.

[sir wanksalot]

I was there travelling recently and was invited into a strip club under the guise of free drinks.

I don't frequent strip clubs but can I ask why you would expect FREE drinks inside a strip club?

Like I said, I have never been but I always thought the drinks was one of the ways they make their money??

[almalm]

I have been to a few strip clubs in Warsaw, never got ripped off but some of the women are hyper aggressive.

I had my nose and ear painfully twisted while sitting at the bar after politely telling one girl I didn't want to dance.

Bitch.

[winkywanky]

A slap around the face with an open palm might have been a proportionate response.

I tend to say never hit a lady, but she was certainly no lady and she hit you first.

[David1970]

I was in Krakow at the beginning of the year; prior to the visit I read some of the scare stories about the clubs online first so went with the intention of avoiding them.

Sure enough I was absolutely "hounded" by mostly men, but a few woman who were all very friendly, said all the right stuff etc to try to lure me in - free drinks, free private dances etc etc and whilst I was incredibly tempted (ie not to even take a drink at all, but just to go in for a nose) I didn't. After a couple of days of this the touts began to recognise me walking around and became insulting and intimidating to the extent that I just avoided the areas completely in the end - it really did ruin Krakow for me as for the last couple of days of the trip I was literally looking over my shoulder because groups of touts would follow me for 20/30 yards calling me names!

My advice would be to just not even engage with the touts; once they twig that you are a foreign visitor they won't leave you alone.

Did not find the touts aggressive or in your face, they offered me the flyer and I politely declined, no problem.
Really can’t see why they turned aggressive with you.

[almalm]

A slap around the face with an open palm might have been a proportionate response.

I tend to say never hit a lady, but she was certainly no lady and she hit you first.

I wouldn't fancy my chances... Those girls are tough

[winkywanky]

I guess in reality the bouncers would kick the shit out of you before throwing you out into the street.

[Donald Tramp]

It's always sad to hear these kind of stories... despite all those millions of warnings given, there's always some people who will try their luck.

The general rule is that one should NEVER enter any of those strip clubs anywhere, unless it's some place you have read about from a reliable source (like UKP) and with a good reviews.

And of course never carry too much cash or pay with a credit cars and make sure your daily limit is set low at your account for safety when abroad etc. all the normal stuff.

I've been in Krakow numerous times and know all too well how annoying these people are that come to you all the time asking you to "check out the nice girls".

I never entered a single one. And neither should you.

Only once i went to some club that had some dude outside handing out some discount coupons but that was with some local dudes who already knew the place and it was actually a legit place. And those coupons really worked, drinks were dirt cheap with those, only 5 zlotys a pint/cider and 10 zlotys for some cocktails. Just ordinary local folks inside getting wasted and a small dancefloor so it wasn't in any sense a sex/stripclub.

If you want to go to a good sex club while in Krakow, take a 2 hour train to Lubliniec and go to a Club Prive (open on fridays and saturdays) and have fun there with cheap drinks and almost guaranteed sex in a great, scam-free environment. Read my recent review about it to learn more.

[thetinman007]

My mate got done in a strip club in Krakow. He was drunk, they treated him well and he spent a few hundred on his credit card without getting any private dances. . He was hyper excited the next morning. I adviced him. To contact his bank and stop the cc cards. Luckily he got his money back.
I went to a brothel that night instead. Had a great time!

[bompingchizzer]

8k is some serious money and being drugged and mugged of any amount is not cool and a criminal offence. I suppose the advice on carrying limited amount of cash, having daily limit set on credit/debit cards is a good tip for any day, not just holiday. During my trip to Gdansk I was also lured to strip clubs with offers of free entry or voucher for drink, reassured the girls are pretty. The way I see it, if the place is good, has reputation the word spreads around quickly and it doesn’t need advertising, offering free entry or free drink.
If your drink was not spiked could be whole different story...

The place I visited, although offering striptease/lap dance was not a strip club. More like small outfit for no more than 2 customers at a time with maybe 2 seats available in a waiting area.

When I went in I didn’t know what to expect and only had limited cash with a little extra should additional  services available. I had all my cards with me but took some out of my wallet and spread them between the pockets just in case.

Luckily for me my visit was very pleasant and I regret I didn’t have more time to see the girl again for longer and try my luck.

I don’t venture very often, but when I do I’ll share and hope that my contribution will be useful for others.

[Mr Sinister]

Wow horrific story at the same time shows you need to do your research before putting your foot through the door. I've been approached by pimps/touts on my travels and just ignore them especially if they are offering you free stuff  . Intuition permitted usually find striking up a rapport from a random local(restaurant worker, taxi driver, hotel etc...) then asking where I can find ladies has worked out pretty well.

Otherwise guys you have great resource on here so why be so naive and stupid?

[Sullivan]

8k is some serious money and being drugged and mugged of any amount is not cool and a criminal offence. I suppose the advice on carrying limited amount of cash, having daily limit set on credit/debit cards is a good tip for any day, not just holiday. During my trip to Gdansk I was also lured to strip clubs with offers of free entry or voucher for drink, reassured the girls are pretty. The way I see it, if the place is good, has reputation the word spreads around quickly and it doesn’t need advertising, offering free entry or free drink.
If your drink was not spiked could be whole different story...

The place I visited, although offering striptease/lap dance was not a strip club. More like small outfit for no more than 2 customers at a time with maybe 2 seats available in a waiting area.

When I went in I didn’t know what to expect and only had limited cash with a little extra should additional  services available. I had all my cards with me but took some out of my wallet and spread them between the pockets just in case.

Luckily for me my visit was very pleasant and I regret I didn’t have more time to see the girl again for longer and try my luck.

I don’t venture very often, but when I do I’ll share and hope that my contribution will be useful for others.

I think the problem is if you are drugged, you will stump up whatever you have hidden away. This guy has obviously given them 8k while under the influence, as it would be almost impossible to get that amount of cash off someone without their consent.

I use a Revolut card when overseas, which isn’t linked to my current account and has to have money transferred into it. If someone nicks it, I will be fine. But if I’m off my tits after being spiked, I could transfer money in and then pass it on to whomever is controlling me.

[wombat42]

What about having an expensive smart phone in those places ? Is that also not vulnerable ?

[hawkzville]

I don't frequent strip clubs but can I ask why you would expect FREE drinks inside a strip club?

Like I said, I have never been but I always thought the drinks was one of the ways they make their money??

I think - as I have - if you've frequented the "clubs" in mainland Spain then it's easy to think that the same rules apply. Often in Spain there is a door entry fee, but then 1/2/3 free drinks depending on how busy they are (ie to get you through the door) The "strip" is often a ploy as they are really just brothels and the girls take turns to do a dance partly to break their boredom of hanging around and partly to exhibit their "wares".

It seems that in Krakow certainly there is much more of a mafia backing, hence the hard-line criminal element - I think they hassled me as they saw me as a wealthy fat old Englishman, so couldn't twig why I wouldn't go in the clubs.

[bhudda]

- I think they hassled me as they saw me as a wealthy fat old Englishman, so couldn't twig why I wouldn't go in the clubs.

Id be safe then ... no one would mistake me for someone who is wealthy ... fat and old maybe ...

[Global_Punter]

Sad story, seems like a scene from the movie Hustlers External Link/Members Only), External Link/Members Only

I had a German colleague that got stinged in SOHO, same place that I was duped way back as 2003, those strip clubs have now become massage parlours, the other closer to Windmill Strip club is now a boutique. When I spoke to a police friend of mine he advised me that those issues were always treated as civil disputes hence the operators allowed to operate them, I'm relieved now that council has closed them all  lots of tourist got duped by those twats - same way the Polish style set-up is allowed to operate ( perhaps the police in that country is corrupt and in on the rotten tactics )


Had a similar incident with a Stripper that I met at Sunset Strip SOHO, some Ugandan Tia ( Ebony girl ) got duped of £450 when she came to my place, another thieving whore to avoid if you frequent this clubs in the UK

         

 

[Global_Punter]

Also as advised get a card ie Sterling Bank, Monzo etc transfer Emergency funds when required via App, I'd also avoid carrying too much cash - just what you need to avoid being scammed out of your hard earned $$$$

[Mothball15]

I lost £1000 in Paris in 2007.
I think a lot of ppl have had same thing happen.

[MrMatrix]

I lost £1000 in Paris in 2007.
I think a lot of ppl have had same thing happen.

No good, got to ask, how the hell did that happen then

[vlad.tech]

Any places to pick up girls? I know Ibiza is nice - any other leads?

[scutty brown]

presumably this place
External Link/Members Only

read these review sites
External Link/Members Only
External Link/Members Only

allegations of theft, being attacked with chemical mace, and murder
heres a good one

So I am sitting here with a face full of mace and to say I am pissed off would be a gross understatement. But, I digress and let me start from the beginning. I entered this fucking establishment at the urging of three gentlemen at the street level. I was looking for a massage with a happy ending, no hassle, no problem. Paid the 60 PLN fee the cover and a beer... Okay. I sit down and immediately, two nice girls sit beside me and try to sell me on the private room, 6 minutes for 240 PLN and say, politely, no thanks. Then comes the girl with the micro braids. She also immediately tries to convince me to go to the private room, 240 PLN for 2 songs, one girl. I politely say no. she says, yes. I say no thank you. She says yes. This goes on for a minute and after I tell her that I was really just looking for a nice one hour massage with a happy ending and she says, okay. How about 300 PLN for one hour with sex. I repeat the offer and she says yes. I am suspicious so I ask again and again she confirms. She takes me to the front where I am asked to pay 300 PLN and again I say, this is for one hour, with sex right. Yes is the reply. I am still suspicious so I ask, is there a bed? Where will this take place. Oh in the private room is the reply. There is a nice couch. Okay..... should have walked before dropping another PLN but anyway... so we go into the room... she takes her top off and asks me to massage her... sitting, facing away, I attempt a massage with no oil, no lotion, her facing away and if I lean over to kiss her shoulder, she pulls away and say, I don't like this. So then she says, if you pay more, the sex will be really good. Good tip, good sex. I say, well how about we see how it goes. I am a good tipper with good service (which I am). She then starts trying to convince me to go into the jacuzzi with her and for 3000 PLN I can have bareback sex. It is at this point, about 5 minutes into the event that I say fuck it. This is going nowhere and is a serious ripoff. I dress and go to the front desk and politely ask for 200 of my 300 PLN back. No way she says. No refunds. I say, I was there for 5 minutes, it is not working. There are 3 or 4 girls at the front and they just turn away and start chattering and laughing. Now, before I go on, let me say this. I have paid for women all over the world. In almost 100% of the cases, it goes well. I am above average in looks, dress well, kind at heart but these girls were starting to really piss me off. So I decided to get a bit more assertive, and demand my money. I already know that this isn't going to end well for me but say fuck it, these assholes need to know that you can't just rip off a client and not feel some repercussions. She starts yelling and down come the three goons. I make a half hearted attempt to explain the situation but they are not listening. One dude tries to punch me in the stomach a couple of times and almost laughed at his lame attempts. Now, another disclaimer. I am not an aggressive person, never have been but also don't like to be walked over or ripped off. After pushing me out the door at street level, one of the dudes, whips out his mace and gives me a good shot in the face. It hurt like hell but I just looked at them and laughed and said "really? are you fucking serious?" and then walked away. So perhaps this review will give some of you gents looking for a bit of fun, something to think about before entering this ship hole. Seriously, I have been in 100's of clubs, all over the world and I have never, ever been treated like this. Cheers

Reply Nov 19th, 2016

[Steely Dan]

Been there, done that.  Feel your pain I wish all guys could learn the easy way.  I learned the hard way.

20 years ago: Soho clip joint was only for £80 or so.  A lot for a five minute drink with a cow.  But didn't want to fight with the beast of a bouncer so paid and left.  Was OK for a bit until...
15 years ago.  Geneva stripper bar.  Mag's place.  Had some nice private time after buying some drinks (feeling pussy, tit sucking sort of thing).  This bar had a local pub sort of feel to it - more YOA than spearmint Rhino.  Likeable. Thought I was OK.  They did a lock-in at midnight.  Me and 3 bar girls and the owner.  For a bottle of Champagne, I could have sex.  Instead they talked me into being tied up to a wall naked and they whipped my arse.  They played with little Dan but always promised more next round.  Woke up with lines on my arse - had to avoid the missus for some time.  Back in Blighty: More than £6000 out of my credit card.  No way I signed for 6 bottles - could not really walk let alone hold a pen.  (This was pre PIN days). But my CC company said they could not refund: it was a police matter.  As if I am going to Swiss police for being a total dickhead.

The good thing is, I have never never again used a credit card in any version of a sex establishment.  Sometimes these days i might have a card with me & I live on the edge, but no matter how wasted, I still would never pull out a card.  The imprint of that evening is too strong.

[winkywanky]

Fuck  .


Fair play to you for telling your story Dan, as a warning to others .

[scutty brown]

read this, been going on since at least 2011 and it would seem the police are complicit

External Link/Members Only

[winkywanky]

That is no surprise whatsoever, and in an unrelated incident, I have experienced exactly the same in Spain before now.

Local crime supported/ignored by local coppers.

In this case, for either financial gain or a free blowy once a week off one of the girls.

[MrMatrix]

Been there, done that.  Feel your pain I wish all guys could learn the easy way.  I learned the hard way.

20 years ago: Soho clip joint was only for £80 or so.  A lot for a five minute drink with a cow.  But didn't want to fight with the beast of a bouncer so paid and left.  Was OK for a bit until...
15 years ago.  Geneva stripper bar.  Mag's place.  Had some nice private time after buying some drinks (feeling pussy, tit sucking sort of thing).  This bar had a local pub sort of feel to it - more YOA than spearmint Rhino.  Likeable. Thought I was OK.  They did a lock-in at midnight.  Me and 3 bar girls and the owner.  For a bottle of Champagne, I could have sex.  Instead they talked me into being tied up to a wall naked and they whipped my arse.  They played with little Dan but always promised more next round.  Woke up with lines on my arse - had to avoid the missus for some time.  Back in Blighty: More than £6000 out of my credit card.  No way I signed for 6 bottles - could not really walk let alone hold a pen.  (This was pre PIN days). But my CC company said they could not refund: it was a police matter.  As if I am going to Swiss police for being a total dickhead.

The good thing is, I have never never again used a credit card in any version of a sex establishment.  Sometimes these days i might have a card with me & I live on the edge, but no matter how wasted, I still would never pull out a card.  The imprint of that evening is too strong.

Bloody hell Steely that is one hell of a story and a serious amount of money....  I'm amazed the banks didnt stop that. Guess it depends on the credit limit set. If I punt, I never take a card or wallet with me. I have a card that I'm constantly racking the limit down. Every few years I find the limit has increased to a couple of grand and I only need £700 limit on this card. annoying it is.

Strikes me you did well to hide the welts on your arse as well as the £6k.....

[wombat42]

Are there never any credit card scams in massage parlours ? They cannot get you drunk but you are in a vulnerable position lying down naked. If the masseuse says she wants a payment of say £500 by credit card, what are you going to do about it especially if there are heavies around ?

[Mothball15]

No good, got to ask, how the hell did that happen then

It was my first time to Paris (outside the uk on my own) and i went to the redlight district. I paid €100 for an hour private lap dance.
Followed by 2more the day after.
On my third night she offered an all night at her flat for €700 this was in 2007 when the £ was stronger than the €, and my dick & heart was doing all the thinking (fluffy central)
I said yes paid by card and waited outside the til she finished work circa 2am After an hour or two 4am
I realised I got scammed and angrily cancelled my card.

It was a wake up call back in the uk as Looking back I was lucky as I didn’t know where she lived & what would happen when/if I went to her place.

On my last day i went back into the sex video shop (with private dance upstairs) to genuinely buy some dvds , the person behind the counter recognised me and tried to up sell as “he seen my credit cards before  “ I told him I cancelled them paid by cash and left.

[Zak67]

Are there never any credit card scams in massage parlours ? They cannot get you drunk but you are in a vulnerable position lying down naked. If the masseuse says she wants a payment of say £500 by credit card, what are you going to do about it especially if there are heavies around ?

Don't take any cards

[MrMatrix]

Don't take any cards

I know some lessons are hard learnt..

[Global_Punter]

It was my first time to Paris (outside the uk on my own) and i went to the redlight district. I paid €100 for an hour private lap dance.
Followed by 2more the day after.
On my third night she offered an all night at her flat for €700 this was in 2007 when the £ was stronger than the €, and my dick & heart was doing all the thinking (fluffy central)
I said yes paid by card and waited outside the til she finished work circa 2am After an hour or two 4am
I realised I got scammed and angrily cancelled my card.

It was a wake up call back in the uk as Looking back I was lucky as I didn’t know where she lived & what would happen when/if I went to her place.

On my last day i went back into the sex video shop (with private dance upstairs) to genuinely buy some dvds , the person behind the counter recognised me and tried to up sell as “he seen my credit cards before  “ I told him I cancelled them paid by cash and left.

Painfully, I hope this guys pay for this evil...

[Mothball15]

Painfully, I hope this guys pay for this evil...

A lesson learned.

[jeanphillipe]

This is why its good to have a savings account.

Also use credit cards rather than debit cards.

[geostorm1]

Update - after doing a chargeback with the bank....

I've got all £8000 back !!!

[geostorm1]

I think the problem is if you are drugged, you will stump up whatever you have hidden away. This guy has obviously given them 8k while under the influence, as it would be almost impossible to get that amount of cash off someone without their consent.

I use a Revolut card when overseas, which isn’t linked to my current account and has to have money transferred into it. If someone nicks it, I will be fine. But if I’m off my tits after being spiked, I could transfer money in and then pass it on to whomever is controlling me.

Exactly mate. My main bank card was declining it due to fraud (but I didn't know that, they just kept telling me it was declined and for me to try my pin again) and then they had me unlock my phone and transfer funds from main bank into Starling, and then used the Starling card on the card machine to get my money.

They actually nabbed £4000 on my BUSINESS card and £4000 on my personal. I was extremely worried about how I explain that to the tax man.. errr Christmas party expense? Luckily they have refunded both my business and personal so got the full £8000 back now after 6 months of anxious waiting.

They tried my other business card too but luckily I didn't know the pin to that card so that was declined too.

I can vaguely remember them keep asking me to retry because it was declined but I was so out of it, I just kept trying again with no thought of them being malicious.

In hindsight, fuck them, and I'm glad I got a free (albeit shit) lapdance from some Polish totty.

I can actually recall one moment in that room, I wanted to get laid but they were clearly not about that. I kept getting my dick out but they kept saying NO, NO and pulling my pants back up haha!

I would just say, 10000000000000% do not EVER visit any establishment like this. They wouldn't let my friend in to take me home or anything, felt trapped and terrified by the end of it, ran back to the hotel crying and screaming at 5am in hysterics.

[geostorm1]

What about having an expensive smart phone in those places ? Is that also not vulnerable ?

Absolutely vulnerable. They even had me unlocking my phone, responding to fraud check text messages from my bank, and even transferring funds from one account to another.

I've read horror stories about getting people to apply for loans. Imagine that!

As soon as I got home I cut up all my cards and requested new ones. I'm still scared they might have seen my driving license and address and some future fraud might happen. Hopefully they just wanted the quick buck there and then and won't cause me any trouble.

[MrMatrix]

Really pleased to hear you got your money back. A very unexpected positive result. And again thanks for heads up on this scam.