The show aims to expose the local adaptations of common scams – from pick pockets, expensive cab fares, to bars luring people in with adult entertainment at a high cost.
[9] In the Istanbul episode further scams are exposed at the Blue Mosque where touts trick tourists into paying for unofficial tours and then coerce them into buying goods such as carpets that they do not want.
The result of their work was discovery that the whole reportage was fiction and staff shooting the documentary hired actors and extras for the roles of scammers.
In the episode, various supposed crimes were filmed, including those committed by criminals posing as police officers, and Conor Woodman tweeted, in July 2013, "Amsterdam is right up there for the title of Scammiest City.
"[18] A police investigation revealed, according to Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan, that the filmmakers had paid criminals to appear in the videos.
National Geographic confirmed that people had been paid, but that they hadn't been actors; pending investigation they pulled the show from their rotation.
[19] Van der Laan referred to the show as "scam television", demanding an apology and rectification, and pending that threatened to take the matter to court.