These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Indien, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Hur det fungerar: Unofficial touts approach near the Taj Mahal ticket area or gates offering to guide you, sometimes claiming to be official staff, then demand a high fee or lead you toward a commission shop instead.
Hur man undviker det: Only hire guides wearing an official ASI badge, ideally arranged in advance through your hotel. Politely but firmly decline unsolicited offers near the gates.
Hur det fungerar: Drivers, guides or friendly strangers steer you toward a 'government' or 'authentic' marble-inlay shop, framed as an educational stop, where prices are heavily inflated to cover a commission paid to whoever brought you.
Hur man undviker det: Treat any driver-recommended shopping stop with caution, and research fair prices for marble inlay work in advance if you intend to buy. There is no requirement to visit any shop as part of a legitimate tour.
Hur det fungerar: A photographer near the Taj Mahal or Agra Fort offers to take your photo, or simply starts taking it, then demands payment for prints or digital copies you never asked for.
Hur man undviker det: Politely decline any unsolicited photo offer before it happens, or agree a clear price in advance if you do want the service. You are not obliged to pay for a photo you did not request.
Hur det fungerar: Shops or touts sell gemstones or artefacts described as rare, antique or a special one-time deal, sometimes with a story about export or resale value, when the items are actually cheap or fake.
Hur man undviker det: Buy gems and antiques only from established, licensed dealers, never on a stranger's or driver's recommendation, and be sceptical of any claim about guaranteed resale value.
Hur det fungerar: A taxi or auto driver, or a fake 'tourist office', claims your hotel is closed, full or unsafe, then diverts you to another hotel or agency that pays them a commission.
Hur man undviker det: Confirm your booking directly with the hotel by phone, insist on being taken to your actual address, and ignore unsolicited 'official tourist offices' near the station and markets.
Hur det fungerar: A friendly contact offers a deal to buy gems, jewellery or carpets and resell them abroad at a profit, asking you to pay now and carry or receive goods later. The goods are worthless and the money is gone.
Hur man undviker det: Never buy valuables to 'resell for profit' on a stranger's promise. Treat any unsolicited investment or export deal as a scam and walk away.
Hur det fungerar: Drivers refuse the meter, quote inflated flat fares to tourists, claim your destination is 'very far' or take long detours, sometimes via shops that pay commission.
Hur man undviker det: Use a ride-hailing app with a fixed price, or insist on the meter and know the rough fare first. Decline detours to shops and pay only what was agreed.
Hur det fungerar: People outside the Red Fort, Qutub Minar or other sights claim the official queue is closed or sell 'skip-the-line' or fake tickets at inflated prices.
Hur man undviker det: Buy only at the official ticket counter or verified online site. Ignore anyone intercepting you outside, and check opening hours in advance so their claims do not work.
Hur det fungerar: Goa's taxis famously do not use meters, and drivers quote high flat fares to tourists, claim a route is longer than it is, or refuse app taxis to protect their trade, so you can pay several times the fair price.
Hur man undviker det: Use the GoaMiles app or airport prepaid counters where the fare is fixed in advance. If you must take a street taxi, agree the full price before getting in, and know the rough going rate for your route beforehand.
Hur det fungerar: Some rental agents point out 'new' scratches or dents when you return the scooter and demand a large repair fee, or rent out a bike with existing damage and blame you for it later.
Hur man undviker det: Before riding off, film a slow video of the whole scooter and photograph every mark, and show the agent any damage you find. Rent from a well-reviewed shop or through your guesthouse, and keep your passport rather than handing over the original as a deposit.
Hur det fungerar: A minority of shacks and tourist restaurants hand over an inflated bill, add drinks or dishes you never had, or charge a 'special' price higher than the menu once the meal is over.
Hur man undviker det: Check that prices are on the menu before ordering, keep a rough tally as you go, and read the bill line by line. Question anything you do not recognise; a fair shack will correct it without fuss.
Hur det fungerar: Dealers openly offer drugs on the beaches and at parties, but possession is a serious crime in India, and some deals are set up so a 'policeman' appears moments later and demands a large bribe to let you go.
Hur man undviker det: Simply do not buy or carry drugs; the risk of arrest, a real prison sentence or an extortion trap is far too high. Walk away firmly from anyone offering them, especially strangers who approach you at night.
Hur det fungerar: Operators may quote a low price for a jet-ski or parasailing ride, then add charges for a life jacket, a second round or 'photos', pushing the final total well above the agreed figure.
Hur man undviker det: Fix the total price, the duration and exactly what is included before you hand over any money or get on the water. Pay at the end, keep the agreed number in mind, and refuse extras you did not ask for.
Hur det fungerar: Jaipur is famous for a gem scam in which a friendly 'dealer' or new 'friend', sometimes reached via a driver or guide, persuades you to buy gemstones to resell at a huge profit back home under a duty-free allowance. The stones are worthless glass or vastly overpriced, and the promised buyer never exists.
Hur man undviker det: Never buy gems as an investment or to resell for someone else, however convincing the story. Treat any stranger who steers you toward a jewellery shop as a tout, and only buy stones you want for yourself from an established, independently reviewed shop.
Hur det fungerar: Drivers often refuse the meter for tourists and quote a fare several times the real price, especially from stations, the airport and outside major sights, sometimes claiming the meter is broken.
Hur man undviker det: Agree a price before getting in or, better, use Uber or Ola, which fix the fare in the app. Have a rough idea of the correct fare, carry small notes, and simply wave off any driver who will not give a fair price.
Hur det fungerar: A driver or self-appointed guide offers a cheap city tour, then insists on stopping at 'special' handicraft, carpet or gem emporiums where they earn a commission and prices are inflated. Some claim your chosen shop or restaurant is closed to divert you.
Hur man undviker det: Be clear you do not want shopping stops, and treat any unrequested detour to an emporium as a red flag. There is no obligation to enter or buy; ask to move on, and check opening hours yourself rather than trusting a driver's claim.
Hur det fungerar: At Amber Fort, the City Palace or in the bazaars, a friendly man may attach himself as a 'guide' or offer a special viewpoint, then demand a steep, open-ended fee afterwards.
Hur man undviker det: Decide up front whether you want a guide, and agree an exact price and scope before starting. Government-licensed guides carry official photo ID; a polite but firm 'no thank you' is enough to decline the rest.
Hur det fungerar: A taxi or auto driver claims your booked hotel has shut down, moved or is fully booked, then offers to take you to another place that pays him a commission, often at a worse rate.
Hur man undviker det: Call your hotel directly to confirm, and insist on being taken to the address you booked. Reputable hotels do not vanish; ignore drivers who try to redirect you and, if pushed, get out and arrange your own ride.
Hur det fungerar: A driver claims the meter is broken, tampers with it, or simply quotes a high flat fare once he sees you are a tourist, leaving you to pay several times the real price. Tampered meters are a well-documented problem in the city.
Hur man undviker det: Insist on the meter before you set off, and ask your hotel what a typical fare should be. If the driver refuses, take another or book an Uber or Ola, which fix the price in the app and remove the argument entirely.
Hur det fungerar: Drivers or touts approach arrivals inside the terminal offering a 'special' price, or quote well above the real fare, sometimes using a fake fare app or a counterfeit rate card to justify a huge charge for a short trip.
Hur man undviker det: Ignore anyone touting inside the building and use only the official prepaid or cool-cab counter, or a booked ride-hailing app, at the marked pick-up point. Confirm the fare on a receipt or in the app before you get in.
Hur det fungerar: A taxi or rickshaw driver insists on stopping at a 'special' handicraft shop, gem dealer or emporium on the way, where he earns a commission and prices are heavily marked up, or claims your hotel is full and offers another.
Hur man undviker det: Decline any unrequested shopping stop firmly and ask to go straight to your destination. If a driver claims your hotel is closed or full, call the hotel yourself to check rather than accepting his alternative.
Hur det fungerar: Near Colaba and the Gateway of India, a woman carrying a baby asks you not for money but to buy a tin of formula from a nearby shop; the overpriced tin is later returned to the shop and the cash split with the seller.
Hur man undviker det: Politely decline and do not buy goods on a stranger's behalf. If you wish to help, give to an established charity rather than to organised street begging, which often involves children who see none of the money.
Hur det fungerar: Stalls around Colaba Causeway and the tourist sights start prices very high, present ordinary items as rare or antique, and count on visitors paying the first figure without haggling.
Hur man undviker det: Haggling is expected; offer well below the opening price and be ready to walk away, which often brings the price down. Compare a few stalls and treat any genuine-antique claim with healthy scepticism.