Very true, If you are not street smart or even smart enough you can face such issues anywhere, remember squeaky wheel gets the grease. I remember I was coming from abroad back to Pakistan I had 2 laptops with me. My backpack which was carrying those laptops when it went under scanner the guy instantly said "Who's bag is it", I replied It's mine. He said please come this way you can't carry to laptops one will be charged for taxes. I said WTF, I called someone who is in ASF lol I asked the guy what is his name, he refused giving me his name, I asked him to talk to the person on the phone he refused saying we are not allowed lol, Then some guy in white uniform (Custom guy) appeared. He said you will be charged, he said he understands all that but since we are standing right under surveillance camera He can't let me go without charging. He said he will charge me the least. My reply was I am not paying for anything, back then I was a university student and let me go without charging anything.
Point is always ask for your rights and info, don't be reluctant asking questions and fight for your rights. These people are thieves , there are many bad sheeps but not everyone is alike.