🚨 Common Tourist Scams in India & How French Travelers Can Avoid Them 🇫🇷🇮🇳

India’s vibrant culture and bustling cities can be a thrilling experience—but like many popular destinations, tourists can sometimes be targeted by scams. Knowing common pitfalls helps French travelers stay safe and enjoy their trip worry-free.

🎭 Common Scams Targeting Tourists

1. Fake Tour Guides & Touts

• Unofficial “guides” near monuments, stations, or airports offering unsolicited help.

• They may demand large fees or lead you to overpriced shops.

2. Taxi & Auto Rickshaw Overcharging

• Drivers refusing to use meters or quoting exorbitant fixed fares.

• Especially common near airports, train stations, and tourist spots.

3. Gemstone & Handicraft Shops Scam

• Being pressured into buying overpriced or fake goods.

• Often linked to “guides” or drivers who get commissions.

4. Hotel & Accommodation Tricks

• Claims that your booked hotel is “closed” or “full,” then redirecting you to more expensive alternatives.

• Fake booking confirmations or inflated rates at the front desk.

5. Currency Exchange Rip-offs

• Street exchangers offering “better rates” but shortchanging you.

• Counterfeit notes or hidden fees.

🔑 How French Travelers Can Stay Safe

✅ Use Official & Verified Services

• Book tours, guides, and drivers through trusted platforms or your hotel.

• Use app-based taxis (India Taxi Online, Uber) with GPS tracking.

✅ Always Agree on Fares in Advance

• Insist on metered fares or fixed prices written before starting your ride.

• Keep small change handy for exact payments.

✅ Beware of Unsolicited Help

• Politely decline offers from strangers who approach you aggressively.

• Verify identities and ask for official badges or licenses.

✅ Confirm Hotel Bookings

• Use reputable booking websites (Booking.com, Agoda, Airbnb).

• Carry printed or digital confirmation and call the hotel directly if unsure.

✅ Exchange Currency at Banks or Authorized Counters

• Avoid street money changers.

• Use ATMs inside banks for safer cash withdrawals.

🛡️ Additional Tips for French Tourists

• Carry a copy of your passport and visa; keep originals secure.

• Learn basic Hindi phrases like “Nahīṃ chāhiye” (No, thank you).

• Travel with a local SIM card for GPS and emergency calls.

• Join online forums or Facebook groups for recent scam alerts and advice.

• Trust your instincts—if something feels off, walk away.