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Surfboard rental repair extortion scams in Arugam Bay

Asked about 17 hours agoViewed 950 times
L
Liam K.•3135 rep•2
asked about 17 hours ago

I rented a board on the main street. When I brought it back, the owner pointed to a tiny scratch and demanded 10000 rupees, holding my passport hostage. What do I do.

34
asked about 17 hours ago
L
Liam K.•3135 rep•2

4 Answers

✓Accepted Answer

This is illegal extortion. NEVER leave your physical passport as a deposit for anything in Sri Lanka; leave a photocopy. If they have your passport and demand an absurd fee for a scratch, call the Tourist Police (1912) immediately while standing in the shop. Do not pay. They will hand the passport back the second the police arrive.

17
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answered about 16 hours ago
S
Suresh D.•2670 rep•1

Always take photos of the entire board, especially the nose and tail, in front of the owner before you walk away with it.

21
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answered about 16 hours ago
C
Chloe F.•2145 rep•2

I threatened to call the police like you said, and he suddenly "forgave" the scratch and gave my passport back. Thanks!

11
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answered about 16 hours ago
L
Liam K.•3135 rep•2

If you genuinely dinged the board, take it to Dylan’s Surf Shop or a local repair guy yourself. They will fix it for 2000 rupees.

5
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answered about 16 hours ago
A
Amali S.•3810 rep•1

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