Scam in PakistanShopping
Higher shopping prices for visitors in Pakistan
How it works
A seller starts with a high price and expects bargaining. In Karachi, visitors from outside the city may be quoted double or triple prices. Foreigners shopping for handicrafts in Islamabad may also face a higher starting price. In Multan's Hussain Agahi market, accepting the first price can mean a poor deal.
Warning signs
- The price changes after the seller learns where you are from.
- Nearby sellers offer the same item for much less.
- The seller pushes you to accept the first quote.
How to avoid it
- Compare the same item at several stalls.
- Bargain before agreeing to buy.
- Take a trusted local shopping with you if possible.
- Walk away if the price does not suit you.
If it happens to you
If you have not paid, decline the purchase. If you have paid, keep the receipt and ask calmly whether a return or refund is possible.
- Get to a safe, staffed public place. Do not chase a thief or continue a confrontation.
- Check what is missing. Freeze stolen cards, contact your card issuer, and secure or remotely lock a stolen phone.
- Save receipts, booking details, messages, and photos. Write down the time, place, amount, and a description of what happened.
- Report theft, threats, or fraud to the police. Ask for a report or reference number and keep a copy.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is missing or you need urgent assistance. Tell your insurer and any booking or payment provider involved.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- News2020Tourists accuse Murree hoteliers and shopkeepers of overcharging, misbehaving with themFamilies visiting Murree complained that shopkeepers overcharged tourists and that local businesses mistreated them.Read on News
- Redditr/pakistan2023First time in Pakistan, need some adviceA commenter advises finding a local companion after noticing higher prices for foreigners in Islamabad and Lahore.Read on Reddit
- WebWikivoyageKarachi – Travel guide at WikivoyageThe community travel guide warns that visibly foreign shoppers are particularly susceptible to inflated prices in Karachi bazaars.Read on Web
Questions
What is the higher shopping prices for visitors scam in Pakistan?
A seller starts with a high price and expects bargaining. In Karachi, visitors from outside the city may be quoted double or triple prices. Foreigners shopping for handicrafts in Islamabad may also face a higher starting price. In Multan's Hussain Agahi market, accepting the first price can mean a poor deal.
How can I spot it early?
The price changes after the seller learns where you are from. Nearby sellers offer the same item for much less. The seller pushes you to accept the first quote.
How do I avoid higher shopping prices for visitors in Pakistan?
Compare the same item at several stalls. Bargain before agreeing to buy. Take a trusted local shopping with you if possible. Walk away if the price does not suit you.
What should I do if it happens to me?
If you have not paid, decline the purchase. If you have paid, keep the receipt and ask calmly whether a return or refund is possible.
Where in Pakistan does this happen?
Karachi bazaars and street stalls; handicraft and shawl shops around Super Market in Islamabad; Hussain Agahi market in Multan. It has been reported in Karachi, Islamabad, Multan.
How much can it cost me?
In Karachi, visitors may be quoted double or triple prices.
How common is this scam in Pakistan?
Common. The main tourist traps in Pakistan are inflated taxi and rickshaw fares, higher shopping prices for foreigners, and pressure from airport touts. Other risks include poor-quality goods sold at high prices, refilled water bottles, pickpockets in crowded parts of Lahore, and bag snatching in Karachi. Agree prices early, check what you buy, and keep your cash and phone secure.
Are there similar scams in Pakistan?
Yes: poor-quality goods sold at high prices, the 'no change' claim, rickshaw shopping detours.
Who can I report it to?
Police: report theft, threats, or fraud at a police station. Ask for a written report or reference number. For emergencies, police helpline 15 is listed; the country-wide instructions specify calling from a landline. Airport staff: for a porter dispute or pressure from touts, seek help at a staffed airport desk. Give the location and explain what was agreed or paid. Card issuer or bank: use your bank's app or official contact number to freeze missing cards and report disputed payments. Embassy or consulate: use its official emergency contact details for passport loss, serious threats, or difficulty obtaining help. Keep these details available before travelling. Insurer or booking provider: contact the provider through its official support channel. Keep receipts, evidence, and any police report for a claim or payment dispute.
What number do I call in an emergency in Pakistan?
Police; country-wide instructions specify a landline: 15, Ambulance; landline or mobile: 115, Ambulance and emergency rescue; Rescue 1122: 1122, Police rescue from a cellphone in Faisalabad only: 911.
Reviewed by @snuck