India has an unfortunately deserved reputation for scams, both classic and newfangled. Of course, most can be avoided with some common sense and an appropriate amount of caution. They tend to be more of a problem in the big cities of arrival (such as Delhi or Mumbai), or very touristy spots (such as Rajasthan), though in Goa and Kerala they are relatively rare. Chat with fellow travellers to keep abreast of the latest cons. Look at the India branch of Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree Travel Forum (www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree), where travellers often post timely warnings about problems they’ve encountered on the road. Be aware there have been several cases where scammers who can speak the language target Japanese tourists.
AThe late 1990s saw a scam in North India where travellers died after consuming food laced with dangerous bacteria from restaurants linked to dodgy medical clinics; we've heard no recent reports but the scam could resurface. In unrelated incidents, some clinics have also given more treatment than necessary to procure larger payments from insurance companies.
AMost bottled water is legit, but ensure the seal is intact and the bottom of the bottle hasn’t been tampered with. While in transit, try and carry packed food if possible. If you eat at bus or train stations, follow the crowd and buy food only from fast-moving places
Be careful when paying for souvenirs with a credit card. While government shops are usually legitimate, private souvenir shops have been known to surreptitiously run off extra copies of the credit-card imprint slip and use them for phoney transactions later. Ask the trader to process the transaction in front of you. Memorising the CVV/CVC2 number and scratching it off the card is also a good idea, to avoid misuse. In some restaurants, waiters will ask you for your PIN with the intention of taking your credit card to the machine – never give your PIN to anyone, and ask to use the machine in person.
Be extremely wary of accepting food or drink from strangers, even if you feel you're being rude. Women should be particularly circumspect.
Occasionally, tourists (especially those travelling solo) have been drugged and robbed or apparently attacked. A spiked drink is the most commonly used method for sending them off to sleep – chocolates, chai from a co-conspiring vendor, 'homemade' Indian food and even bottled water are also known to be used.
AA good travel-insurance policy is essential.
AEmail copies of your passport identity page, visa and airline tickets to yourself, and keep copies on you.
AKeep your money and passport in a concealed money belt or a secure place under your shirt.
AStore at least US$100 separately from your main stash.
ADon’t publicly display large wads of cash when paying for services or checking into hotels.
AConsider using your own padlock at cheaper hotels.
AIf you can’t lock your hotel room securely from the inside, stay somewhere else.
Smooth-talking con artists who promise foolproof ‘get rich quick’ schemes can be incredibly convincing, so watch out. In this scam, travellers are asked to carry or mail gems home and then sell them to the trader’s (nonexistent) overseas representatives at a profit. Without exception, the goods – if they arrive at all – are worth a fraction of what you paid, and the ‘representatives’ never materialise.
Don’t believe hard-luck stories about an inability to obtain an export licence, and don’t believe the testimonials they show you from other travellers – they are all fake. Travellers have reported this con happening in Agra, Delhi, and Jaisalmer among other places, but it’s particularly prevalent in Jaipur. Carpets, curios and pashmina woollens are other favourites for this con.
Always agree on prices beforehand while availing services that don't have regulated tariffs. This particularly applies to friendly neighbourhood guides, snack bars at places of touristy interest, and autorickshaws and taxis without meters.
Use your instincts (better still, ask for permission) while photographing people. If you don't have permission, you may be asked to pay a fee.
ATheft is a risk in India, as anywhere else. Keep luggage locked and chained on buses and trains. Remember that snatchings often occur when a train is pulling out of the station, as it's too late for you to give chase.
ATake extra care in dormitories and never leave your valuables unattended. Use safe deposit boxes where possible.
ARemember to lock your door at night; it is not unknown for thieves to take things from hotel rooms while occupants are sleeping.
ACabbies and autorickshaw drivers will often try to coerce you to stay at a hotel of their choice, only to collect a commission (included within your room tariff) afterward.
AWherever possible, pre-arrange hotel bookings (if only for the first night), and request a hotel pick-up. You’ll often hear stories about hotels of your choice being ‘full’ or ‘closed’ – check things out yourself. Reconfirm and double-check your booking the day before you arrive.
ABe very sceptical of phrases like ‘my brother’s shop’ and ‘special deal at my friend’s place’. Many fraudsters operate in collusion with souvenir stalls.
AAvoid friendly people and 'officials' in train and bus stations who offer unsolicited help, then guide you to a commission-paying travel agent. Look confident, and if anyone asks if this is your first trip to India, say you’ve been here several times. Telling touts that you have already prepaid your transfer/tour/onward journey may help dissuade them.
AUpon arriving at train stations and airports, if you haven't prearranged a pick-up, call an Uber or go to the radio cab, prepaid taxi and airport shuttle bus counters. Never choose a loitering cabbie who offers you a cheap ride into town, especially at night.
AWhile booking multiday sightseeing tours, research your own itinerary, and be extremely wary of anyone in Delhi offering houseboat tours to Kashmir – we've received many complaints over the years about dodgy deals.
AWhen buying a bus, train or plane ticket anywhere other than the registered office of the transport company, make sure you’re getting the ticket class you paid for. Use official online booking facilities where possible.
ATrain station touts (even in uniform or with 'official' badges) may tell you that your intended train is cancelled/flooded/broken down or that your ticket is invalid or that you must pay to have your e-ticket validated on the platform. Do not respond to any approaches at train stations.
AGunk (dirt, paint, poo) suddenly appears on your shoes, only for a shoe cleaner to magically appear and offer to clean it off – for a price.
ASome shops are selling overpriced SIM cards and not activating them; it's best to buy your SIM from an official Airtel, Vodaphone, etc, shop and check it works before leaving the area where you bought it (activation can take up to 24 hours).
AShops, restaurants or tour guides ‘borrow’ the name of their more successful and popular competitor.
ATouts claim to be ‘government-approved’ guides or agents, and sting you for large sums of cash. Enquire at the local tourist office about licensed guides and ask to see identification from guides themselves.
AArtificial 'tourist offices' that are actually dodgy travel agencies whose aim is to sell you overpriced tours, tickets and tourist services.