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Occasional in India

Scam in IndiaBuses and trains

Fake train boarding-pass requirement in India

Railway stations

How it works

Someone approaches you and claims that you need a boarding pass for your train. This is used to mislead passengers who already have tickets.

Warning signs

  • A stranger says your train ticket is not enough.
  • They insist you must obtain an extra boarding pass.

How to avoid it

  1. Use your train ticket and check your assigned coach and seat.
  2. Ignore unsolicited boarding-pass claims.
  3. Ask at the enquiry counter if you need help.

If it happens to you

Stop following the person and confirm your journey at the enquiry counter.

  1. Move to a safe, staffed place. Avoid a confrontation. Call 112 if you are threatened, injured or in immediate danger.
  2. Stop further payments. If cards or account details are involved, contact your bank or payment provider immediately.
  3. Save receipts, booking details, messages and transaction records. Write down the location, time and vehicle or driver details.
  4. Report the incident at the nearest police station. For a serious crime, insist on an FIR and request a copy. Report online or card fraud to the local police cybercell or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
  5. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is missing. Tell your travel insurer and provide the records they request.
Where it happensRailway stationsDelhi

What travellers report

Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.

More scams in IndiaStation entrance blockers: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the fake train boarding-pass requirement scam in India?

Someone approaches you and claims that you need a boarding pass for your train. This is used to mislead passengers who already have tickets.

How can I spot it early?

A stranger says your train ticket is not enough. They insist you must obtain an extra boarding pass.

How do I avoid fake train boarding-pass requirement in India?

Use your train ticket and check your assigned coach and seat. Ignore unsolicited boarding-pass claims. Ask at the enquiry counter if you need help.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Stop following the person and confirm your journey at the enquiry counter.

Where in India does this happen?

Railway stations It has been reported in Delhi.

How common is this scam in India?

Occasional. Scams and touts are common in India's tourist areas, especially in Delhi and around transport hubs. Common problems include inflated fares, short change, false claims about hotels, fake ticket offices and pressure to buy goods or tours. India is generally safe for foreign visitors who take basic precautions against petty crime and theft.

Are there similar scams in India?

Yes: fake ticket offices and tourist information centres, station entrance blockers.

Who can I report it to?

Emergency services: call 112 for immediate danger or urgent police, fire or ambulance help. Give your location and speak slowly. Nearest police station: visit in person for non-emergency crimes. For a serious crime, insist on a first information report, or FIR, and obtain a copy. Local police cybercell: make a complaint about internet scams, card skimming or other cybercrime. Bring transaction records and saved messages. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: use the government portal to report cybercrime. Keep a record of your complaint. Ministry of Tourism helpline: call 1363 or 1800-11-1363 for tourist assistance. The helpline operates 24 hours a day. Bank, card issuer or payment provider: use its official app or contact number to block compromised cards or accounts, flag the fraud and ask about disputed payments. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact details if your passport is stolen or you need consular help. Travel insurer: report the loss promptly. Keep police reports, receipts and evidence of the stolen items or disputed payments. Bengaluru auto-rickshaw complaint service: record the driver's identification number. A BBMP control room contact is listed as +91 80 22975803, but it dates from December 2009. Confirm that it still handles these complaints before relying on it.

What number do I call in an emergency in India?

National emergency services: police, fire and ambulance: 112, Ministry of Tourism 24-hour tourist assistance: 1363, Ministry of Tourism alternative helpline: 1800-11-1363.

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