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Some scams

Southern Asia

Tourist scams in India

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.
  1. 1 Changing moneyVery commonShort change and disputes over cash paidSomeone gives you too little change or claims you handed over less money than you did. This can also happen at official counters. It occurs across India and is highlighted as a particular problem in Delhi.Delhi 2Read
  2. 2 TaxisVery commonBroken meters and inflated fixed faresA driver refuses the meter, says it is broken or quotes an inflated fixed price. Some Bengaluru auto drivers demand excessive night surcharges. Chennai auto drivers often quote prices well above the meter fare. This also happens elsewhere in India.Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai 1Read
  3. 3 TaxisCommonRigged taxi metersThe taxi has a meter, but it has been altered to produce an inflated fare.Delhi 2Read
  4. 4 TaxisCommonExtra fare demanded at the destinationAfter the journey, the driver demands more than the agreed or prepaid fare. A prepaid label does not always prevent this.Delhi, Chennai 2Read
  5. 5 Hotels and roomsCommonFalse claims that your hotel is closed or unreachableA driver or tout says your hotel is closed, full or cut off by roadworks. They steer you to a hotel that pays them a commission. A travel agent may pretend to phone your hotel. In Delhi, they may claim there are no rooms anywhere and sell an overpriced car journey to your next destination. Similar false hotel claims occur elsewhere in India.Delhi 2Read
  6. 6 Buses and trainsCommonFake ticket offices and tourist information centresA stranger offers directions to a ticket office, sometimes calling it an office for foreigners. It is actually a tour agency, often away from the station. You are overcharged or pressured into cars and tours. Wrong directions to a friend's tour office also occur elsewhere in India.Delhi 2Read
  7. 7 ShoppingCommonDriver detours to shops or sales officesA driver offers to show you good shops or takes you to a tourist information centre instead of your destination. You face pressure to buy crafts or overpriced services.Bengaluru, Delhi 2Read
  8. 8 ShoppingCommonA new friend leads you to an overpriced shopA friendly stranger invites you to their family's shop. The price can be much higher than if you had entered alone.Streets and tourist shopping areas 1Read
  9. 9 ShoppingCommonInflated tourist prices at street stallsA seller starts with a high foreigner price. A visitor who does not compare or negotiate may pay many times the usual price.Street hawkers and shops where bargaining is expected 2Read
  10. 10 ShoppingCommonCharging above the printed price or using a false price stickerA retailer charges more than the package's Maximum Retail Price, known as MRP. Some add their own higher price sticker. The printed MRP already includes GST. This occurs across India, with bottle markups also described in Chennai.Chennai 2Read
  11. 11 Cards and ATMsCommonCard skimmingCard details are copied and used for fraud. Losses can be large.Across the country 2Read
  12. 12 Other tricksCommonInternet scams and other financial confidence fraudFraudsters use online scams or gain your trust to take money. The methods vary and can cause large losses.Online and through people seeking your trust 1Read
  13. 13 TheftCommonPickpocketingA 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.Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai 1Read
  14. 14 TaxisOccasionalTouts posing as prepaid taxi staffA tout claims to run the prepaid taxi service and tries to take your booking away from the real counter.Airports and railway stations with prepaid taxi services 1Read
  15. 15 TaxisOccasionalUnnecessary long routesA driver uses a long, winding route when the visitor does not know the way, increasing the journey cost.Bengaluru 2Read
  16. 16 Buses and trainsOccasionalFake train boarding-pass requirementSomeone approaches you and claims that you need a boarding pass for your train. This is used to mislead passengers who already have tickets.Delhi 2Read
  17. 17 Buses and trainsOccasionalStation entrance blockersScammers stand at the entrance, demand to inspect your ticket and physically try to stop you entering. They exploit visitors' uncertainty about station procedures.Delhi 2Read
  18. 18 Tours and guidesOccasionalTravel agency plan changes and extra feesAn agency changes the travel plans you agreed on or adds commissions and fees that inflate the price.Delhi 2Read
  19. 19 On the streetOccasionalReligious ceremony and donation pressureA priest or guide offers a ceremony without clearly stating the cost. Afterwards, you are pressured to make a large donation. Similar pressure can occur at other tourist temples.Kanchipuram 2Read
  20. 20 ShoppingOccasionalWorthless diamonds to take homeSomeone tries to persuade you to take supposedly valuable diamonds back to your home country. The stones are worthless crystal.Tourist areas 2Read
  21. 21 On the streetOccasionalPoor students and overpriced school booksPeople presenting themselves as poor students show you around for hours. They then use sympathy to make you buy expensive school books from a shop linked to them.Sightseeing areas and affiliated bookshopsRead
  22. 22 On the streetOccasionalUnsolicited restaurant and street-sales pitchesA tout offers to take you to a supposedly good place for dinner or pushes goods such as a chess set. The approach is a sales pitch rather than independent help.Tourist streets 2Read
  23. 23 Changing moneyOccasionalUnusable banknotes passed as changeSomeone gives you demonetised notes or damaged notes that other sellers may refuse. Old yellow ₹500 notes and old red ₹1000 notes cannot be exchanged.Cash payments and change 1Read
  24. 24 Changing moneyOccasionalPoor-value currency exchangeThe exchange rate may be much worse than at a city-based money changer. A poor rate can cost you money even when the exchange is genuine.Chennai 1Read
  25. 25 TheftOccasionalMuggings and robberyMuggings and robberies sometimes occur. The description does not identify a particular theft setup or method.Chennai 2Read

Where to stay alert

  • Indira Gandhi International Airport prepaid taxi counters and pickup areas, DelhiCash disputes and short change are described at airport taxi counters. Arriving passengers also face hotel-diversion scams.
  • Railway station entrances and surrounding streets, DelhiTouts direct visitors to fake ticket offices, invent boarding-pass requirements or try to block entry.
  • Historic sites and museums, DelhiTicket sellers are among the cash handlers linked to short change.
  • Tourist-area temples, KanchipuramVisitors unfamiliar with local customs may face ceremony charges and pressure for large donations.
  • Chennai International Airport taxi pickup areasSome prepaid and yellow-top taxi drivers demand extra money at the destination.
  • TASMAC liquor stores, ChennaiBottles may be sold above their listed price.
  • Train stations, exhibitions and cricket matches, BengaluruCrowded venues are identified as places to watch for pickpockets.
  • Auto-rickshaw stands, BengaluruDrivers waiting at stands may demand higher fares than drivers flagged down on the street.

Habits that keep you safe

Taxis

  • Check the likely fare and route before boarding.
  • Confirm the meter arrangement or full fixed price, including extras.
  • Use a recognised booking app or go directly to the prepaid counter.
  • Keep your receipt and check that the vehicle matches your booking.
  • In Bengaluru, avoid autos without displayed driver identification or with another person already accompanying the driver.

Money

  • Carry small notes and coins so you can pay close to the exact amount.
  • Count cash before paying and check change immediately.
  • Inspect notes for damage and reject demonetised notes.
  • Check the original printed MRP on packaged goods.
  • Compare the final amount offered when exchanging money.

Cards and ATMs

  • Use ATMs in busy, well-lit places rather than deserted areas.
  • Check the card reader and cover your PIN.
  • Keep your card in sight during payments.
  • Enable transaction alerts and check your account.
  • Keep your bank's card-blocking contact details accessible.

Your belongings

  • Keep bags closed and close to your body in crowds.
  • Store your passport, spare cash and cards securely.
  • Carry only the cash you need for the next few hours in an accessible wallet.
  • Keep luggage in sight on trains and at stations.
  • Avoid displaying expensive jewellery, phones or large amounts of cash.

Nights out

  • Book a cab through a reputable company when returning late.
  • Avoid walking alone along deserted lanes after dark.
  • Avoid taking an auto-rickshaw when someone else is accompanying the driver.
  • Plan your return journey before going out.

Where you stay

  • Save your booking confirmation, address and hotel phone number before arrival.
  • Call the hotel yourself if someone claims it is closed, full or unreachable.
  • Do not buy a replacement room or onward journey under pressure.
  • Keep doors and windows locked at night.

Tours and guides

  • Choose guides, shops and agencies independently.
  • Get the itinerary and full price in writing.
  • Ask the cost before accepting a ceremony or guided activity.
  • Decline unsolicited shopping and restaurant detours.
  • Say no firmly or ignore persistent touts and keep moving.

Police and officials

  • Ask station enquiry staff or police for travel help.
  • Do not treat a stranger demanding tickets at a station entrance as an official.
  • For a serious crime, ask police to make a first information report, or FIR, and give you a copy.
  • Keep copies of reports and receipts for your bank or insurer.

What travellers say about India

Discussions on other sites, summarised in our words. Open a link to read the full thread.

Questions

How worried should I be about scams in India?

Scams and touts are common in tourist areas, especially Delhi and transport hubs. Basic precautions help: check prices, verify unexpected claims and keep your belongings secure.

What should I do if a taxi driver refuses the meter?

Check the fare through a booking app or agree on a clear total before boarding. If the price seems too high or the arrangement is unclear, choose another driver.

Should I believe a driver who says my hotel is closed?

Call the hotel yourself using the details on your booking. Claims about closures, full rooms or blocked roads can be used to divert you to a commission-paying hotel.

Do I need a separate boarding pass for an Indian train?

No. A stranger claiming you need one may be trying to mislead you. Use your train ticket and ask at the station enquiry counter if you need help.

Can I trust someone who offers to find the foreign tourist ticket office?

Be cautious if they approach you without being asked or lead you away from the station. Use IRCTC or a station ticket counter, and ask enquiry staff for directions.

How do I avoid losing money when paying cash?

Use small notes, count what you hand over and check your change before leaving. Inspect notes and reject damaged or demonetised ones.

What does MRP mean on a package?

It means Maximum Retail Price and already includes GST. Check the original printed price, as a seller may charge more or add a higher sticker.

Do I have to donate after a temple ceremony?

Do not let anyone pressure you into a large donation. Ask the cost before agreeing to a ceremony and walk away if you feel uncomfortable.

What should I do if my card details are stolen?

Contact your card issuer immediately, block the card and flag unauthorised transactions. Save the records and report the fraud to the local police cybercell or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

Where should I report a theft or scam?

Visit the nearest police station for a non-emergency crime. For a serious crime, request an FIR and a copy. Call 112 for immediate danger, or 1363 for tourist assistance.

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