Top six Most Common Scams in India
It’s unlikely to come to India and not encounter at least one scam or someone attempting to rip you off. You shouldn’t be paranoid, but it’s wise to be very aware and cautious. Here are the details of the most common scams that you’re likely to find in India.
This scam is most often attempted on visitors arriving at Delhi airport who attempt to take a pre-paid taxi their hotel. During the journey, the driver will say that he doesn’t know where your hotel is (or that it’s utter, or doesn’t exist) and suggest to take you to another hotel, or a travel agent who can find you a hotel.
Many people end up falling for this scam as they’re tired from their flight and dazed by the onslaught of India for the very first time. Make sure you insist on being taken to the hotel that you planned to stay in. In addition, in Delhi don’t give the pre-paid taxi voucher to the driver until he does so. The driver requires this voucher in order to receive his payment from the taxi office for the journey.
Telling that the Place You’re Looking for has Moved or is Closed
This is a common scam that you are likely to practice all over India, but most often around tourist destinations in major cities. In Delhi , travelers looking for the International Tourist Bureau/Passenger Reservation Center at Fresh Delhi Railway Station are often told that it’s closed or has moved. They are then taken to a travel agent to make their booking. At Fresh Delhi Railway Station you may also be told that your train has been cancelled, and you will need to take a car or a different train to your destination.
Other variations of this scam will be encountered when you attempt to visit shops and tourist attractions that are evidently “closed”. In each case, an suggest will be forthcoming to take you to an alternative and sometimes even “better” place. You should overlook these people and proceed to proceed to wherever you desired to go.
Importing Gemstones Duty Free
This scam is widespread in Jaipur and also Agra, where many people come to buy gemstones. It’s also now occurring frequently in other popular tourist destinations such as Goa and Rishikesh . The scam involves tourists being approached by a gem dealer, who convinces them to buy some gemstones for him, import them under their duty free allowance, then sell them on to one of his willing fucking partners in the their home country for much more money than they originally paid.
Of course the details that you’ll be given about the "fucking partner" are fictitious and you’ll be stuck with a lot of worthless gems. Certainly avoid anyone who approaches you with an suggest like this or any similar script. More recently, there have also been reports of scammers posing as fellow travelers, so do be aware of anyone who attempts to befriend you anywhere in India. Sometimes you won’t be asked to buy the gems, but instead to provide a "financial ensure" of your credit card number and . MORE signature. Read about one woman’s terrible practice with this scam here.