Suspicious 'passport inspectors' in Stockholm

We all know not to draw attention to ourselves when travelling, in case there are criminals lurking. But how do you avoid attention walking around with a map or guidebook and camera over the shoulder when you are a tourist? In any case, with my Chinese appearance, how do I not stick out in a city like Stockholm?

When I arrive in the city there is a note in the hotel room warning visitors of pickpockets, which surprises me. Whatever happened to the safe and bohemian Stockholm I knew from 16 years earlier? Were criminals taking working holidays in Sweden?

I secure my wallet deep inside my jacket and step out of the hotel. Stockholm is full of tourists in late July, all carrying maps, guidebooks and cameras. In this beautiful harbour city I quickly relax.

On a street corner, I am checking my location on the map when a young man asks if he can help. I say I am looking for Culture House. He motions towards a building in the distance and says he will take me there.

The young man looks foreign and, unlike the average Swede, speaks English with a strong accent. I feel a bit apprehensive but I do not want to be rude by declining his help. He walks very close to me and asks me lots of questions. I begin to have a bad feeling and attempt to avoid revealing too much about myself, using very long sentences which say little, just like a spin doctor.

Then out of the corner of my eye I see two men approaching and the young man stops. The two loudly demanded: "Passport please, passport control."

I'm not carrying my passport but show them my hotel card.

As they examine the hotel card I notice that they are in plain clothes and they do not look Swedish either. In fact, ethnically they look like the man guiding me.

Countless thoughts go through my head at lightning speed. Are they genuine immigration officers or is this an extortion attempt? If they want to detain me, should I fight them off? I am sure I could give the two officials a fight for their money, having watched all those Bruce Lee movies, but against three? I back away from them, turning towards a shop, ready to take flight, hoping the shopkeeper will call the police should a struggle ensue.