Scam in MyanmarTaxis
Taxi drivers pressuring arrivals as a group in Myanmar
How it works
Drivers gather around arriving passengers, offer the same inflated price and pressure them to accept.
Warning signs
- Several drivers surround you.
- Every driver gives the same price.
- The quote is per person rather than for the car.
How to avoid it
- Confirm whether the fare is per person or per car.
- Walk out of the station yards to the west to look for a pick-up.
- Arrange transport with your accommodation before arrival.
If it happens to you
Step away from the group and compare transport outside the station.
- Move to a safe place. Do not chase anyone or argue with a threatening group.
- If a cash transaction is still underway, stop and check the agreed price, note values and total payout. Ask calmly for the mistake to be corrected.
- Block stolen cards and secure affected accounts. Use your bank's official app or contact details.
- Save receipts, tickets, messages and transaction details. Write down the time, location and what happened.
- Report theft, robbery or fraud to police. Ask for a written report or reference number if available.
- Contact your insurer. If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate. Seek medical help promptly after injury or a suspect drink.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Travel blog2018Myanmar – Kalaw & Inle LakeThe travellers describe multiple drivers surrounding their early-morning arrival in Kalaw with calls and transport offers.Read on Travel blog
- Travel blog2018Yangon Myanmar (Burma)The traveller reports numerous taxi touts pestering Yangon airport arrivals, including one who repeatedly followed him.Read on Travel blog
Questions
What is the taxi drivers pressuring arrivals as a group scam in Myanmar?
Drivers gather around arriving passengers, offer the same inflated price and pressure them to accept.
How can I spot it early?
Several drivers surround you. Every driver gives the same price. The quote is per person rather than for the car.
How do I avoid taxi drivers pressuring arrivals as a group in Myanmar?
Confirm whether the fare is per person or per car. Walk out of the station yards to the west to look for a pick-up. Arrange transport with your accommodation before arrival.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Step away from the group and compare transport outside the station.
Where in Myanmar does this happen?
Highway Bus Station, also called Chan Mya Shwe Pyi or Kywe Se Kan It has been reported in Mandalay.
How much can it cost me?
Quotes as high as 2,000 kyat per person are described. The listed car-price ceiling is 5,000 kyat, with pick-ups at 500 kyat per person; these are reference figures, not verified current fares.
How common is this scam in Myanmar?
Common. Tourists can face money-changing tricks, inflated transport prices and persistent sellers in Myanmar. Petty theft is also a concern, though the material describes reported crime levels as low. Check cash carefully and agree on prices before paying.
Are there similar scams in Myanmar?
Yes: high taxi quotes for foreigners.
Who can I report it to?
Local police: report theft, robbery or fraud at a police station. Bring any receipts, transaction records and a written account. Ask for a report or reference number if available. Card issuer or bank: use the bank's official app, website or the number on your card to block a stolen card and report unauthorised transactions. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact channels if your passport is stolen or you need consular help. Travel insurer: use the insurer's claims or assistance service. Keep police records, receipts and evidence of the loss. Business or transport operator: raise a disputed payment, missing change or questionable ticket with the business or operator. Show the receipt and agreed terms, if you have them.
Reviewed by @snuck