Warning! Current Scams in India (affecting tourists or general population)
Hello all,
These past few days, I have heard a few stories of the following scams which seem rampant.
In general this is applicable to the Southern part (MAA) of the country,(based on local news / newspaper report) and some cities in North or North-west India.
1. The request for changing a larger denomination currency note to a few smaller bills.
Classically, someone will ask you if you have five "One hundred rupee bills" for a single "five hundred rupee note". The moment you hand over the 500 rupee note, it magically becomes a 100 rupee note !!
You just lost 400 rupees!
2. This scam is directed towards folks (mostly women) older than 50 years:
It goes something like this:
One person says "I see a guy there who is following you with a knife in hand. I suggest you remove your jewelry and place it in your handbag" (or whatever bag you are carrying".
Then, immediately, the supposed "knife carrying" person walks up to you and your angel-helper to find out "why are you pointing at me and blaming me of something"?
While you are trying to talk to the "THREAT", the "angel" simply takes the jewelry out of your bag.
You are usually rattled, and do not notice the jewelry is gone until much later.
This scam affects Indians much more. Not usually directed to foreigners.
3. A version of the scam # 2 above. However, now, there are two people posing as "Policemen". They have you as suspect for trading in fake jewelry. They ask to "inspect" your jewelry, And suddenly they run away with it.
Of course, the thieves are smart enough to identify the most gullible people (older folk, who are usually afraid of getting robbed, etc).
4. Several modifications of scams 2 and 3....mostly directed towards somehow robbing your jewelry.
5. The airport "Pre-paid taxi" Switcheroo.
Mostly reported in DEL and BOM.
PLEASE DO NOT use taxi-touts at any airport anywhere in the world in general.
In India, the scammers see that you are holding a receipt for the pre-paid taxi service, and will offer to "take you to the taxi".
DO NOT GO with them!
They will put your luggage in the trunk of the car, and demand way more money when you reach your destination. They can choose to not take you to your destination if you do not offer the money.
You supposedly only "paid service charge at the airport"...and not really the taxi fare..
And various versions of the story.
If you do not know where is the appropriate taxi line, PLEASE ASK uniformed policemen ...they are always standing near any airport entrance. Some airports have information booths. Or, simply go back to where you paid money for the taxi, and ask them to escort you to the taxi if you cannot find the location.
at MAA, Fast-Track Taxi and Aviation Express will definitely escort you to the correct car from the moment you pay for the car.
Please add to this thread if you have observed / faced other recent scams in India.