Summary
All countries and cities have dangers and annoyances, but India is arguably one of the world’s leaders in scamming tourists. This article details the top scams you should be aware of when traveling in India.
Here are some scams we encountered or heard about during our travels through India, which will hopefully assist you in your journey through this beautiful country and other developing nations worldwide.
When traveling, it’s crucial to remain vigilant.
Top Travel Scams in India
Many scams occur in India, but equipping yourself with knowledge and staying alert will enhance your travel experience through this captivating subcontinent.
While it’s important to be informed, don’t let concerns about scams overshadow your adventure; enjoy all that this fascinating country has to offer.
1. Prepaid Taxis
This is the most prevalent scam you’ll encounter throughout India.
After arriving at the airport or train station, you may feel exhausted, especially if it’s late at night.
Taxi and rickshaw drivers will approach you quickly, eager to offer their services for a ride to your hotel.
They often claim that the prepaid taxi booth is closed or nonexistent. Don’t let them pressure you into a hasty decision.
Instead, take your time to find the prepaid taxi booth and confirm its location with the right people.
This approach ensures you pay a reasonable fare to your destination, avoiding overcharging or being taken to the wrong location.
For your safety, always opt for the prepaid taxi, particularly if you’re new to the country. Keep your receipt from the booth, and don’t hand it to the driver until you have reached your destination. This serves as proof of payment from the company and ensures you arrive at your intended location.
2. Drivers for Hire
This scam is typically very subtle, often leaving travelers unaware until it’s too late.
Overwhelmed by navigating the vast distances in India, you might fall victim to aggressive sales pitches from taxi drivers or individuals offering assistance as you make your way to your hotel.
Even if hiring a driver crosses your mind, avoid these opportunists as they are likely scam artists who will inflate their rates beyond reasonable limits.
Taking a prepaid taxi from the airport or train station will spare you from stopping at dubious establishments.
We encountered a couple who fell into this scam right after their arrival, only to end up stuck paying an excessive fee for a driver for an entire week. They were understandably displeased but found it too late to rectify the situation.
3. Cheap Rickshaws
This classic scam in India is quite common.
When a rickshaw driver offers you a ride for a fee that seems unbelievably low, it’s probably a trap.
The driver may end up taking you to various gem and textile shops instead of your intended destination, collecting commissions from shop owners along the way.
It’s advisable to negotiate a reasonable fare that you’re willing to pay.
Typically, 50 to 100 rupees seems like an average fare for short distances; insist on being taken directly to your destination. Firmly decline any suggestions to stop at shops or markets along the route.
4. Touts – The Good Samaritan Scam
This scam often begins with a casual greeting, asking for your name and where you’re from, particularly at train stations or tourist sites.
Even if you politely decline offers of rickshaws or guides, the scammer insists they aren’t guides or drivers, simply well-meaning helpers.
Be aware that genuine unsolicited assistance is rare, and you may soon find yourself being led to a tourist office instead of your desired ticket booth.
When approached by individuals on the street or in transport hubs, kindly say no or shake your head.
Remember, they are not offering help; they are attempting to mislead you.
5. Fake Train Officials Captains
This scam involves impersonating authority figures.
Booking train tickets can be daunting in India, often requiring weeks of advance booking to secure a seat.
Interestingly, we usually buy general tickets and upgrade upon encountering the actual train captain on the platform, a strategy that has been successful for us.
Here comes the scam…
During a recent trip from Agra to Delhi, we came across imposters dressed as train captains. Fortunately, having traveled this route before allowed us to recognize when they demanded 400 rupees each for an upgrade—a price we knew was too high.
Twice more, we encountered individuals posing as captains before the genuine train captain arrived to check our tickets.
While we initially presumed they were official, we noticed distinct differences after the legitimate captain joined us. Here’s what to look for:
- a) The real train captain possesses a seating chart and carries papers to verify seat occupancy.
- b) The authentic captain has a badge displaying their name and number.
- c) Genuine train captains check everyone’s tickets, not just those of tourists.
If a group of supposed officials requests your ticket and asks for an upgrade fee while ignoring local passengers, it’s undoubtedly a scam targeting tourists, unlike real captains who ensure everyone’s tickets are checked.
6. Tours Using a Similar Company Name
This scam often appears credible but is, in reality, fraudulent.
We heard a story about a couple approached in a park in Delhi by another “good Samaritan” who offered assistance to reach the official government tourist center for booking a car.
Their office had a name only slightly different from the genuine tourist site.
Consequently, they were sold a six-day car hire for 650 Euros. Without much time to think, they made the purchase.
Although they did receive a driver for their travels in Rajasthan, they doubted the legitimacy of the transaction, as 650 euros for six days was exorbitant for a driver in India.
7. Begging Scams
With roughly 500,000 beggars in India, of which about 300,000 are children, many compassionate travelers feel inclined to help. However, begging is a significant business in India, often exploited by criminal networks.
Giving money to children or beggars may inadvertently support criminal enterprises.
8. Child with Baby Scam
One common scam involves a young girl with a baby asking you to buy powdered milk. Accompanying her to the store with sincere intentions often leads you into a trap where the criminals share proceeds with the shop owner, who overcharges for the milk, rarely seen by the baby, often drugged or rented for the day.
9. Pen Scam
Another prevalent scam occurs when children ask you to purchase a pen. While it may seem like a genuine gesture to support their education, once you leave, the child returns the pen to the shop, where the owner pockets both the money and the pen.
10. Disfigured Scam
Sometimes, you may have good intentions when helping someone with a visible disability; however, criminals may have disfigured a person deliberately to make them appear more pitiful to tourists. Your good deed inevitably only fuels the criminal’s pocket rather than helping the individual in need.
These are merely a few of the numerous scams in India we encountered or learned about through firsthand accounts. If anyone has additional tips or advice on what to be wary of, please share!
