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Occasional in Pakistan

Scam in PakistanFood and drink

Used water bottles refilled with tap water in Pakistan

Vendors selling bottled water across Pakistan.

How it works

Some vendors refill old bottles with tap water and sell them as bottled drinking water. Unsafe water can make you ill.

Warning signs

  • The cap seal is broken or missing.
  • The bottle appears to have been opened before.

How to avoid it

  1. Check the cap seal before paying.
  2. Reject bottles that are already open.
  3. Open the sealed bottle yourself.
  4. Avoid ice when you are unsure of the water used.

If it happens to you

Stop drinking it and get a sealed replacement. Seek medical help if you become unwell.

  1. Get to a safe, staffed public place. Do not chase a thief or continue a confrontation.
  2. Check what is missing. Freeze stolen cards, contact your card issuer, and secure or remotely lock a stolen phone.
  3. Save receipts, booking details, messages, and photos. Write down the time, place, amount, and a description of what happened.
  4. Report theft, threats, or fraud to the police. Ask for a report or reference number and keep a copy.
  5. 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.
Where it happensVendors selling bottled water across Pakistan.

What travellers report

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

More scams in PakistanImitation Agha Juice House branches: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the used water bottles refilled with tap water scam in Pakistan?

Some vendors refill old bottles with tap water and sell them as bottled drinking water. Unsafe water can make you ill.

How can I spot it early?

The cap seal is broken or missing. The bottle appears to have been opened before.

How do I avoid used water bottles refilled with tap water in Pakistan?

Check the cap seal before paying. Reject bottles that are already open. Open the sealed bottle yourself. Avoid ice when you are unsure of the water used.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Stop drinking it and get a sealed replacement. Seek medical help if you become unwell.

Where in Pakistan does this happen?

Vendors selling bottled water across Pakistan.

How common is this scam in Pakistan?

Occasional. 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: imitation Agha Juice House branches.

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.

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