Scam in IndiaTheft
Pickpocketing in India
How it works
A thief takes money, cards or other valuables from your pocket or bag. Crowds make the theft harder to notice. Petty theft also occurs elsewhere in India.
Warning signs
- People are pressing closely around you.
- Your bag or pocket is open or easy to reach.
- You are distracted while handling tickets, money or luggage.
How to avoid it
- Keep your passport, cards and spare cash in a secure place.
- Carry only a small amount in an accessible wallet.
- Keep bags closed and close to your body.
- Watch your luggage on trains and at stations.
If it happens to you
Move to a safe place, block missing cards and report the theft to police. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is missing.
- Move to a safe, staffed place. Avoid a confrontation. Call 112 if you are threatened, injured or in immediate danger.
- Stop further payments. If cards or account details are involved, contact your bank or payment provider immediately.
- Save receipts, booking details, messages and transaction records. Write down the location, time and vehicle or driver details.
- 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.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is missing. Tell your travel insurer and provide the records they request.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
Questions
What is the pickpocketing scam in India?
A thief takes money, cards or other valuables from your pocket or bag. Crowds make the theft harder to notice. Petty theft also occurs elsewhere in India.
How can I spot it early?
People are pressing closely around you. Your bag or pocket is open or easy to reach. You are distracted while handling tickets, money or luggage.
How do I avoid pickpocketing in India?
Keep your passport, cards and spare cash in a secure place. Carry only a small amount in an accessible wallet. Keep bags closed and close to your body. Watch your luggage on trains and at stations.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Move to a safe place, block missing cards and report the theft to police. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is missing.
Where in India does this happen?
Crowded areas, train stations, exhibitions and cricket matches It has been reported in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai.
How common is this scam in India?
Common. 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: muggings and robbery.
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.
Reviewed by @snuck