Top 8 Countries Where You're Least Likely to Get Scammed

Iceland – The Ultimate Scam-Free Paradise

Picture this: you're walking through Reykjavik at midnight, the northern lights dancing overhead, when a stranger approaches you on the street. Your first instinct might be to clutch your wallet tighter, but in Iceland, that stranger is probably just asking if you need directions to the nearest thermal pool.

Iceland consistently ranks as the world's safest country with a Global Peace Index score of 1.112, holding the top position since 2008, and boasts an exceptional blend of low crime rates, high social cohesiveness, and stable political climate. Iceland has exceptionally low crime rates, with very few violent crimes and minimal cases of theft or vandalism compared to other countries.

The island nation's tight-knit community of just 370,000 people means everyone knows everyone, making it nearly impossible for scammers to operate undetected. Thanks to its well-functioning democratic system, Iceland has a history of peaceful transitions of power and recently topped Global Finance Magazine's Top 100 Safest Countries in the World.

Switzerland – Where Precision Meets Protection

The Swiss don't just make world-class watches and chocolate – they've perfected the art of keeping scammers at bay. Switzerland maintains extraordinarily low violent crime rates, with homicide rates among the world's lowest at 0.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, and even in major cities like Zurich and Geneva, residents report feeling safe walking alone at night.

Switzerland comes in sixth globally with a crime index of just 21.62. The country's legendary efficiency extends to its fraud prevention systems, with banks and financial institutions maintaining some of the world's strictest security protocols.

In Switzerland, 86% of people say they feel safe, and the country's homicide rate is 0.3, much lower than the OECD average of 2.6. Swiss culture values trust and reliability so deeply that even attempting a scam feels like trying to break into Fort Knox with a plastic spoon.

New Zealand – Where Kiwis Keep It Real

In the Land of the Long White Cloud, the biggest threat to your wallet might be the temptation to buy too much Manuka honey. New Zealand is the fourth-safest country in the world, where theft is worth guarding against mainly in tourist areas, but overall risk is minimal.

Cybercrime reported in New Zealand has actually dropped over the last year, with 1,950 crimes reported in Q2 2023 compared to just 1,203 in Q2 2024, though New Zealanders reported NZ$6.8 million lost due to cybercrime during Q2 2024. The country's "she'll be right" attitude creates an atmosphere of mutual trust that makes sophisticated scams nearly impossible to pull off.

New Zealanders are generally open-minded and have laws in place to prevent violation of anyone's freedom of speech, and like Iceland, police in New Zealand do not carry personal firearms. With a population that's more likely to invite you for tea than try to trick you out of your money, New Zealand proves that genuine hospitality is the best scam deterrent.

Singapore – The Lion City's Iron Grip on Security

Singapore might be small, but when it comes to keeping scammers out, it packs a mighty punch. Singapore climbed to fifth place in the 2024 Global Peace Index with a score of 1.339, cementing its position as the safest country in Asia.

Singapore boasts one of the lowest crime rates globally, with the Global Peace Index ranking it first in the Safety and Security domain, achieving a near-perfect score of 1.213. The city-state's approach to law enforcement is legendary – littering gets you fined, so imagine what happens to scammers.

Although serious crimes are pretty low, petty crimes like pickpocketing can occur, but the low crime rates are largely due to strict laws and how severely they're enforced. Singapore's reputation for safety and orderliness is largely attributed to its stringent rules and regulations, with this emphasis on law and order benefiting the city as a whole in terms of safety and security.

Denmark – Hygge and Honesty Hand in Hand

In Denmark, the concept of "hygge" (pronounced "hoo-gah") isn't just about cozy candles and warm blankets – it's about creating a society where trust flourishes and scams wither. Denmark secures the 8th spot in the 2024 Global Peace Index with a score of 1.382, where peace is a way of life, as essential to the national character as bicycles and open-faced sandwiches.

Denmark was the second safest country according to Global Finance Magazine, with Danish citizens feeling relatively safe thanks to low crime rates and stable political relations with neighbors. The Danish welfare system creates such strong social cohesion that everyone feels invested in protecting their community from fraud.

While Denmark has high personal income tax, it funds social programs ensuring everyone receives services and perks for comfortable lives, including tuition-free higher education and healthcare with no additional fees. Denmark is the safest country in the world for women according to the 2023 Women, Peace and Security Index, which ranks 177 countries based on women's inclusion, justice and security.

Portugal – The Sunny Side of Safety

Portugal has transformed from Europe's best-kept secret into one of its safest destinations, and scammers haven't gotten the memo yet. Portugal claims seventh place with a Global Peace Index score of 1.375, continuing its impressive rise in peace rankings since economic reforms following the 2010-2014 financial crisis.

Portugal's violent crime rates have decreased steadily over the past decade, with homicide rates falling to 0.7 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024, and the country has successfully avoided terrorism affecting many European nations. The Portuguese culture of "saudade" (a bittersweet longing) seems to extend to a longing for honest interactions.

In Portugal, 83% of people say they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%, and the country's homicide rate is 0.7, lower than the OECD average of 2.6. The island of Madeira deserves special mention as virtually crime-free, with its isolation making it difficult for criminals to escape and its small population leaving fewer opportunities for crime.

Austria – Alpine Accuracy Against Fraud

Austria's Sound of Music charm isn't just for show – the country has orchestrated one of Europe's most effective anti-fraud environments. Austria ranked as the fifth-safest country in the world again in 2023, and while violent demonstrations remain a concern, these are relatively easy to avoid.

Serious crimes are uncommon in Austria (with the usual caveat to watch for pickpockets), and the country has been spared any major acts of terrorism in recent years. The Alpine nation's banking system is so secure that even digital-savvy scammers find it harder to crack than a Mozart symphony.

Austria is among the countries where 85% or more of people say they feel safe walking alone at night. Austrian bureaucracy, often mocked for its thoroughness, actually serves as an excellent deterrent to fraud – scammers simply can't navigate the paperwork maze long enough to succeed.

Canada – The Great White North's Great Track Record

Canada's reputation for politeness extends to its approach to fraud prevention – they're so nice, they've made it nearly impossible for scammers to operate. The 2024 Global Peace Index indicates Canada to be among the most peaceful countries globally.

Canada sits just outside the top ten safest countries at 11th place. The country's vast geography might seem like a challenge for law enforcement, but Canada's sophisticated financial monitoring systems and strong community bonds create multiple layers of protection against fraud.

Canada takes up about two-fifths of the North American continent, making it the second-largest country after Russia, with most of its 35.5 million residents living within 125 miles of the U.S. border, and the country has a reputation for welcoming immigrants.

Canadian banks are so cautious that they'll call you to verify a $20 transaction, which might be annoying when you're buying Tim Hortons, but it's incredibly effective at stopping fraudsters. The nation's universal healthcare and strong social safety net mean fewer people are desperate enough to resort to scamming others.

The world might be getting more connected, but that doesn't mean it's getting more dangerous. These eight countries prove that with the right combination of strong institutions, community trust, and effective law enforcement, it's possible to create societies where scammers simply can't thrive.

Whether you're planning your next adventure or just dreaming of a place where you don't have to second-guess every phone call, these destinations offer something precious in today's world – peace of mind. Have you ever visited a place so safe that you forgot to lock your hotel door?

Get more from Travelbucketlist!

What do you think about this topic? Share your thoughts in the comments below — we would love to hear from you! Want more stories like this? Follow us and never miss out!