
churritis wrote:Yesterday I went to change $100 in Miraflores on Avenida Pardo which I had freshly withdrawn from the ATM and the cambista told me that it was false and then proceeded to a policeman 5 metres from him who confirmed that it was false and that by law they had to take the money.
I argued and he threatened to take me to the commisaria for fraud.
I cut my losses, dropped my head and left
This has also happened to a few other people ive spoken to recently..
please beware
churritis wrote:Yesterday I went to change $100 in Miraflores on Avenida Pardo which I had freshly withdrawn from the ATM and the cambista told me that it was false and then proceeded to a policeman 5 metres from him who confirmed that it was false and that by law they had to take the money.
I argued and he threatened to take me to the commisaria for fraud.
I cut my losses, dropped my head and left
This has also happened to a few other people ive spoken to recently..
please beware
churritis wrote:Did you really believe that you can get a fake from a cajero ?....The notes are checked and checked again before they go in !
of course not, but what can you do?
The scam is in place and im sure its done selectively
Parmentier wrote:I know the cambistas that work just outside el cine Pacifico and never change money there as their exchange rate isn't interesting. Never had problems with them though. After all, maybe your 100 dollar was fake. However the cambistas and policeman over reacted trying to intimidate you.
There is a tourist police in Miraflores, where you could complain about the policeman and cambistas. Never change in Ovalo Miraflores as the rates are bad.

maryjo wrote:1 dumb question.... rather than risk getting cheated in the street (unless of course, you know the cambista) why wouldn't you just get soles instead of dollars at the ATM or Bank? does the bank offer a less favorable exchange & fees?? and the cambista's rates are better?
Just wondering...thanks.
made in scotland wrote:Did you really believe that you can get a fake from a cajero ?....The notes are checked and checked again before they go in !


cajun jamie wrote:On the topic of police and bribes and corruption, I got pulled over for what the police say was making "an illegal U-turn against traffic flow". He asked for my license, so I handed him my license, international license, passport, SOAT and Registration.
He pulled out the rule book, showed me the rule, explained the fine and told me about how he'd have to take my license and me pick it up much later.
It's a shame at that point in time I didn't understand nor speak a single word in Spanish. I managed, "U-turn BAD, mala, yes?"
So, the police laughs and yells to his partner in the truck that I am his "amigo, and I speak no spanish." I get my papers back, he shakes my hand and off I go without paying a centimo.



Arroz con Pollo wrote:All these responses, but how many of you do not have the option to withdrawal soles from your account? If you have that option why would you choose a street changer as opposed to just withdrawing soles from the ATM? How much are you really saving on the exchange rate and ask yourself is it worth trusting some random person on a corner just because they have a bright green vest?
If you must use a street changer I can recommend the fat lady on the corner of Larco/Benivides in front of the Interbank in Miraflores. She has been standing there every day for at least 2.5 years, the amount of time I've been in Lima.

maryjo wrote:Just what I was wondering Arroz con Pollo...
So someone please tell me... how much of a difference is there between the two options.... withdrawing soles directly from your account, or taking your dollars to the cambista?
maryjo wrote:Just what I was wondering Arroz con Pollo...
So someone please tell me... how much of a difference is there between the two options.... withdrawing soles directly from your account, or taking your dollars to the cambista?

Kelly wrote:Funny how things are. In over 4 years I've never had a bad experience.
Of course, they say you should avoid dangerous, high crime areas, so I rarely go to Miraflores. :lol:
