Delhi has elevated the tourist scam to an art form. None of these are dangerous — they’re just designed to separate you from your money. Once you know the playbook, they’re almost entertaining. Almost.
Fake tourist offices — especially near New Delhi Railway Station and Connaught Place. Unofficial “tourist information” outfits with professional-looking signage will offer tours, train tickets, and hotel bookings at inflated prices. The real one is run by India Tourism and bears the official Ashoka emblem. When in doubt, don’t book anything in person. Use the internet.
The gem/carpet export scam. A friendly, well-dressed local strikes up conversation. He’s educated, speaks great English, and mentions a fantastic business opportunity involving gems, carpets, or silk. It’s a scam. It’s always a scam. If a stranger is offering you money, ask yourself why.
“Special price, only for you.” The “special price” is the tourist price. It’s typically three to five times the local rate. The first number is fiction. See the bargaining section for how to write a better ending.
The temple/charity donation scam. Someone collecting donations near a temple will produce a register with other tourists’ names and suspiciously generous amounts. The register is fake. The charity is their pocket. Donate through verified organisations, not strangers with clipboards.
Taxi detours. Your driver takes a “shortcut” that ends at his friend’s shop. If your GPS shows a detour you didn’t agree to, call it out immediately. This is where Uber and Ola are invaluable — the route is tracked, and deviations can be reported.
