Common scams in India

The scams you'll actually run into

1. “Your hotel is closed / burned down”

   A prepaid-taxi or auto driver from Delhi airport or the railway station claims your hotel has closed, is full, or is in a “riot area”, and takes you to one that pays commission — often after a stop at a “travel agent”.

   H.A.C.K. · Authority

   The move — Call your hotel to confirm it's open and ask them to speak to the driver. Insist on the booked address; refuse any “quick stop”.

2. Fake tourist information offices

   Near New Delhi railway station and Connaught Place, offices labelled “Government Tourist Office” or “India Tourism” sell overpriced tours and train tickets and tell you the real booking office is closed or moved.

   H.A.C.K. · Authority

   The move — The only official body is “Incredible India” / the Ministry of Tourism, and it doesn't sell tours. Book trains on IRCTC or its app.

3. Gem / carpet “export business”

   A friendly contact in Jaipur or Agra offers a deal: buy gems or carpets, courier them home, and a “partner” abroad will resell them at a huge profit. The stones are near-worthless and the partner doesn't exist.

   H.A.C.K. · Comfort

   The move — There is no such opportunity. Never buy goods to “resell” on someone else's promise, and never let a shop courier a purchase for you.

4. Auto-rickshaw “meter broken” and commission stops

   Drivers refuse the meter, quote a flat fare, or offer a cheap all-day rate then spend it driving you to shops that pay them per head.

   H.A.C.K. · Hurry

   The move — Use Uber or Ola. If you take an auto, agree the fare first and say “no shops” — a driver who detours anyway isn't taking you.

5. Taj Mahal and monument “guides” and photo fees

   Unlicensed guides attach at the gate, “helpers” offer to take your photo from the “best spot” then demand payment, and sellers follow you with escalating prices.

   H.A.C.K. · Hurry

   The move — Book tickets online (asi.payumoney / official). Hire only ASI-licensed guides (they carry a photo ID card). Keep hold of your own phone.

6. “Holi / temple blessing” then donation demand

   A priest or attendant ties a thread, offers a blessing or a bindi “for free”, then demands a large “donation” and names a figure.

   H.A.C.K. · Comfort

   The move — Decline the thread or blessing if you don't want to donate. If you've accepted, a small note is enough; ignore the named figure.

What these scams have in common

Most India scams lean on Hurry, Authority, Comfort. Whatever the trick, the way out is the same three moves — Pause · Assess · Talk: stop before you pay, hand over a document or follow someone; ask what the request really wants; then say it out loud to someone you trust, or your bank on the number from your card.

India travel-scam FAQ

Official travel advisories for India

Fraud and scam wording pulled from the official Canadian and New Zealand travel advisories. Use the government sources for current travel decisions.

Scam guides for nearby destinations

H.A.C.K. — the four pressure tactics

Every scam on this page is tagged with the tactic it uses. Recognise the tactic, not the trick.

H Hurry

Urgency. A deadline, a countdown or a “right now” that leaves no time to check.

A Authority

Officialdom. A badge, a title, a uniform or an official-sounding request you feel you can't question.

C Comfort

Familiarity. A friendly local, a routine or an emotion that makes the request feel safer than it is.

K Kill-Switch

The cut-off. The moment you're pushed to pay, click, hand over a document or follow someone — before you can verify.

The way out of all four: Pause · Assess · Talk.