Travel Scams Every Indian Solo Traveller Should Know
By Ananya Singh (Family and accessibility travel writer covering airline policies, medical travel and special-needs flying from India.) · Published · 9 min read
The most common scams that target Indian solo travellers abroad — how they work, which countries they are common in, and how to avoid them.
Quick answer
The most common scams targeting Indian solo travellers abroad are taxi/rickshaw overcharging, gem shop scams (Bangkok and Jaipur), fake police asking for passport fines, currency exchange rip-offs, and bracket/friendship bracelet scams in European tourist areas. The universal defence: use ride-hailing apps, agree on prices before accepting services, never follow strangers to shops, and research common scams for your specific destination before arriving.
Taxi and transport scams
The most universal scam worldwide. Variations include:
- Broken meter: Driver claims the meter is broken and quotes an inflated price. Defence: insist on the meter or leave and take another taxi. Better yet, use Grab (Southeast Asia), Uber/Cabify (South America), or Bolt (Europe).
- Long route: Driver takes a circuitous route to inflate the fare. Defence: have Google Maps running and politely point out when the route deviates.
- Airport taxi mafia: Pre-paid taxi counters inside airports sometimes charge 2-3x the Grab/Uber rate. Defence: exit the airport, walk to the departure level (where drop-off taxis are), and book a ride-hailing app.
- Night surcharges: Some cities have legitimate night surcharges. Check locally so you know when a surcharge is real vs invented.
Indian travellers are particularly targeted because many scammers assume Indians are unfamiliar with local pricing. Research approximate taxi rates for your destination before landing — a 2-minute Google search saves significant money.
Gem shop and shopping scams
Particularly common in Bangkok (Thailand) and Istanbul (Turkey):
- The Bangkok gem shop scam: A friendly local tells you a famous temple is closed today for a "special ceremony" and suggests you visit a gem shop instead. They claim you can resell the gems at home for profit. The gems are worthless glass. This scam has operated for decades.
- The carpet shop scam (Turkey, Morocco): A friendly local invites you for tea, leads you to a carpet shop, and creates social pressure to buy.
- Fake brand goods: Markets in Bangkok, Bali, and Istanbul sell convincing fakes of designer brands. The goods are illegal to import into India (customs can confiscate and fine you).
Rule: never follow a stranger to a shop. If someone approaches you unsolicited to recommend a shop, store, or attraction — it is almost certainly a scam or commission-based hustling.
Currency and payment scams
Money-related scams that catch solo travellers:
- Currency exchange shops: Poor exchange rates, hidden fees, or "counting" tricks (giving you less than the displayed amount). Defence: use ATMs for local currency. If you must use an exchange shop, count the money carefully before leaving the counter.
- DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion): When paying by card, the machine asks if you want to pay in INR or local currency. ALWAYS choose local currency. DCC rates include a 3-7% markup that benefits the merchant.
- Fake currency: Receiving counterfeit notes in change, especially in countries with unfamiliar currencies. Defence: learn to recognise the local currency — check the security features of larger denominations.
- ATM skimming: Tampered ATMs that copy your card data. Defence: use ATMs inside banks during business hours. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
Street scams in tourist areas
Common in European and Southeast Asian tourist hotspots:
- Bracelet/string scam (Paris, Rome, Barcelona): Someone ties a bracelet on your wrist and demands payment. Defence: keep your hands in your pockets when approached, say "no" firmly, and walk away.
- Petition scam (Paris): Someone asks you to sign a petition (often for a fake charity) and then demands a donation. Defence: do not engage.
- Photo scam: Someone in a costume (Rome gladiators, Times Square characters) poses with you and demands money. Defence: never accept a photo you did not initiate.
- Fake police: Someone claims to be a police officer and asks to check your wallet for counterfeit notes. Real police do not do this. Ask for their badge number and say you will call the tourist police helpline.
Solo travellers are targeted more than groups because you have no one to back you up or share the social pressure of refusing. Practice saying "no" firmly and walking away — it is the single most useful travel skill.
India-specific scams that follow you abroad
Some scams specifically target Indian travellers:
- Fake tour agents in Indian communities abroad: Travel agents in Indian areas of Bangkok (Pahurat), Dubai, and London may sell fake or overpriced packages. Book directly or through established platforms.
- SIM card scams at airports: Some airport SIM vendors in Southeast Asia charge 3-5x the normal price. Buy your SIM at a brand store (True/AIS/DTAC in Thailand, Telkomsel in Indonesia) outside the airport.
- Visa agent scams: Fake agents offering to "fast-track" visa applications for inflated fees. Always apply directly through the official embassy or VFS Global.
The best protection: research your destination on FlightGPT, read recent reviews on TripAdvisor and Reddit, and know the approximate price of things before you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common travel scam targeting Indians?
Taxi/transport overcharging is the most common scam worldwide. Drivers target anyone who looks unfamiliar with local rates, and solo travellers who look like tourists are prime targets. Always use ride-hailing apps (Grab, Uber, Bolt) and research approximate taxi rates for your destination before arriving.
How do I avoid getting scammed in Bangkok?
The biggest Bangkok scams are the gem shop scam (a local tells you a temple is closed and redirects you to a shop) and tuk-tuk overcharging. Never follow strangers to shops, always use the BTS/MRT or Grab for transport, and be sceptical of any unsolicited advice from strangers near tourist areas.
Should I use ATMs or currency exchange abroad?
ATMs are almost always better than currency exchange shops. You get the bank exchange rate with a small fee (INR 200-500 per withdrawal). Currency exchanges at airports and tourist areas often have poor rates and hidden fees. Always choose to be charged in local currency, not INR, when using cards abroad.
What should I do if I get scammed abroad?
File a police report (ask for the tourist police — they handle these cases). Contact your travel insurance provider. For credit card fraud, call your bank immediately to block the card. For significant losses, contact the nearest Indian embassy/consulate. Accept that some small scams are a cost of travel — learn from them and move on.