📚 Part of the Airline & Flight Guide India series.
Landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. 11:45 PM. First time in India. Excited, exhausted, carrying two bags.
10 minutes later: ₹2,000 poorer.
What happened:
Total time: 10 minutes. Total loss: ₹2,000.
I wasn’t stupid. I was uninformed. These scams are systematic, sophisticated, and target every traveller—Indian and foreign alike.
Here’s every airport scam operating in India and exactly how to protect yourself.
How it works:
Exit international arrivals at Delhi or Mumbai airport. Multiple counters display “Prepaid Taxi” or “Official Airport Taxi” signs. They look legitimate—professional signage, uniformed staff, official-looking receipts.
The trap:
Only ONE prepaid counter is actually official. The others are private operators charging 2-3 times official rates.
Official vs Fake pricing (Delhi Airport to Connaught Place):
How to identify the real counter:
What scammers do:
Protection strategy:
How it works:
You take a regular metered taxi (not prepaid). The driver starts the meter. Fare climbs impossibly fast.
The trick:
Meters are rigged. Common methods:
Example:
Reality: No such thing as “airport premium” for metered taxis in most Indian cities.
Protection strategy:
How it works:
Late-night arrival. Taxi driver: “Sir, your hotel area is closed/unsafe/flooded. I know a good hotel nearby, very cheap.”
The trap:
The driver takes you to a partnered hotel, paying him commission. What should cost ₹1,500 costs ₹4,000. The hotel is substandard. You’re exhausted, it’s 2 AM, you agree.
Driver’s commission: ₹1,000-₹1,500 per booking.
Protection strategy:
How it works:
The driver takes a longer route. What should be 20km becomes 35km. Meter or app fare increases accordingly.
Common tactics:
Protection strategy:
How it works:
Uber/Ola ride ends. You try to pay through the app. Driver: “Sir, app payment not working. System down. Please pay cash.”
The trap:
The driver already got paid through the app (it’s working fine). Now demands cash too—double payment.
Protection strategy:
Terminal 3 (International):
Terminal 1 (Domestic):
Mumbai Airport (Both Terminals):
You exit baggage claim. A porter in a yellow vest grabs your trolley or bag without asking. No consent requested. He’s already pushing your luggage toward the exit.
You follow (what choice do you have?). At exit, hand extended: “Sir, ₹500.”
“But I didn’t ask for help!”
Porter’s response varies:
Standard porter charges (official):
Why this scam works:
Before Baggage Claim:
If Porter Grabs Your Bags:
Firm but polite response: “Thank you, but I don’t need help. Please return my bags.”
If they refuse: “These are my bags. Return them now, or I’ll call airport security.”
If they still refuse, actually call airport security. Say loudly: “This person took my bags without permission and won’t return them.”
Security will intervene immediately. This scam violates airport regulations.
Official Porter Services:
If you genuinely need help:
Never accept unsolicited porter “help” at Indian airports.
Some travellers report porters becoming aggressive when refused payment.
If this happens:
Do NOT:
Airport security takes this seriously. Porters fear security intervention more than losing one scam opportunity.
You have a credit card with complimentary lounge access. At the airport, lounge staff:
Scam Variation 1: The “Upgrade” Trap
Staff: “Sir, your card gives basic lounge. For ₹800, upgrade to premium lounge—better food, shower, sleeping pods.”
Reality: Your card already gives full lounge access. No “basic” vs “premium” distinction exists. The ₹800 upgrade charge is fabricated.
Scam Variation 2: The Hidden Guest Fee
You enter the lounge with your spouse/friend. Staff allow entry, smiles, and provides service.
Three weeks later: Credit card charge of ₹2,000 for “guest entry.”
The trap: Staff never mentioned guest charges. Your card covers only you, not guests. But they should have informed you before entry.
Scam Variation 3: The “Card Not Accepted” Lie
Staff: “Sorry sir, your card isn’t accepted here. But you can pay ₹1,500 cash for lounge access.”
Reality: Your card IS accepted. They want direct cash payment to pocket money without processing through the system.
Before Entering Lounge:
At Lounge Reception:
If They Claim Your Card Isn’t Accepted:
Red Flags:
“Duty-free” implies tax-free bargains. At Indian airports? Often more expensive than regular retail.
Price Comparison (Same Products):
Cosmetics – MAC Lipstick:
Alcohol – Johnnie Walker Black Label (1L):
Electronics – Apple AirPods Pro:
Good Deals:
Poor Deals:
Before You Buy:
At Duty-Free:
The ₹10,000 Duty-Free Mistake:
Traveller buys cosmetics worth ₹10,000 at Delhi duty-free, thinking they’re saving money.
Reality check:
How it works:
You buy products at an Indian duty-free departure from India. Shop assistant: “You’ll get a GST refund. Fill this form.”
You fill form, submit. Refund never arrives.
The reality:
Indian duty-free for departing passengers should already be GST-free. There’s no “refund process.” If they’re charging GST, something’s wrong.
For arriving passengers: Some duty-free shops sell products with a “pay now, claim refund later” model. The refund process is bureaucratic and often fails. Many travellers never receive refunds.
Protection: Buy only from shops offering instant duty-free pricing, not “claim later” models.
You land in India, and need rupees. Airport currency exchange booth displays:
Rate Board:
Seems convenient. You exchange USD 200.
What you don’t see:
Live Market Rate: 1 USD = ₹83.20 Airport Counter Rate: 1 USD = ₹78.50 Your loss per dollar: ₹4.70 Total loss on $200: ₹940
That’s an 11% markup hidden in a “no commission” claim.
Counter claims “no commission.” Technically true—they don’t charge a separate commission fee.
Instead, the commission is hidden in the exchange rate itself.
Example:
Exchange $500 USD to INR:
Airport Counter:
City Exchange (Authorised Dealer):
ATM Withdrawal:
Best option: ATM withdrawal beats airport exchange significantly.
Best Approach:
If You Must Exchange at the Airport:
Credit Card Usage:
Most Indian businesses accept Visa/Mastercard. Foreign transaction fees (2-3%) beat airport exchange rates (10-12% markup).
Use cards when possible, ATMs for cash, and airport exchange only for emergencies.
You park at the airport, and return after the trip. A man in a reflective vest approaches: “Sir, parking fee ₹800.”
Red flags:
The scam:
This person doesn’t work for the airport. They’re collecting money from multiple cars, pocketing everything.
Official parking fees (Delhi Airport, Terminal 3):
The fake attendant quoted ₹800 for what should cost ₹400.
How it works:
You took a parking ticket when entering. Lost it during the trip. At exit, real parking staff: “Sir, lost ticket. Pay the maximum parking fee of ₹5,000.”
Official policy: Most airports charge a maximum of 24-hour parking for lost tickets. But staff sometimes quote inflated amounts.
What ₹5,000 should actually be:
Entering Airport:
Exiting Airport:
For Lost Tickets:
Never pay cash to random “attendants” without official receipts.
Reality check:
At Airport:
At City Mobile Shop:
Airport markup: 300%+ on SIM cards.
Airport SIM card vendor: “Sir, need passport copy, address proof, photo. Document processing fee ₹200.”
Reality: No such thing as “document processing fee.” This is fabricated. SIM card registration is free—only the plan costs money.
Best approach:
If you desperately need a SIM at the airport:
How it works:
Airport free WiFi network names:
You connect to a fake network. Now a scammer can:
Official airport WiFi:
Protection measures:
Apps for secure connection:
Bottle of Kinley Water (1 litre):
Coffee:
Sandwich:
Airport security staff (or sometimes random people) before security check: “Sir, can’t take water bottles through security. Throw them here or they’ll confiscate.”
The truth:
BCAS regulations state:
The scam:
“Helpful” people collect discarded water bottles near security and resell them.
Before Security:
Food:
Your Rights:
Don’t believe airport food vendors who claim packaged snacks aren’t allowed. They are.
Most Common Scams:
Scam Hotspots:
Safety level: Medium-High scam risk
Most Common Scams:
Scam Hotspots:
Safety level: Medium scam risk
Most Common Scams:
Scam Hotspots:
Safety level: Low-Medium scam risk (relatively better)
Goa, Jaipur, Kochi, Chandigarh:
Common scams:
Safety level: High risk at small airports (less oversight, fewer options)
Protection: Pre-book transport, research official rates beforehand.
At the airport:
Document everything:
For serious scams:
Airlines and airports monitor social media closely.
Effective platform for visibility:
Example effective tweet:
@DelhiAirport Fake prepaid taxi counter at T3 Gate 6 charged ₹1,500 for ₹500 ride. Scam operating openly. @MoCA_GoI please investigate. #AirportScam #AirSewa Complaint: [number]
Public complaints get faster responses than private ones.Indian airports operate sophisticated scam ecosystems profiting from traveller vulnerability, exhaustion, and information gaps.
The mathematics:
This isn’t a small-time crime. It’s systematic, organised, and enormously profitable.
Your defense:
Knowledge is protection. You now know:
Simple rules that prevent 90% of airport scams:
That ₹2,000 I lost in 10 minutes? Avoidable with this knowledge.
Your ₹2,000? Now protected.
Next time you land at an Indian airport, you won’t be an easy target. You’ll be informed, prepared, and scam-proof.
Official Resources:
Airport Official Websites:
Useful Services:
Security Tools:
Related Mast Yatri Articles:
Official prepaid taxi counters are located INSIDE the terminal building near exits, operated by Delhi Police (Delhi) or Traffic Police (Mumbai), with government-issued uniforms and ID badges. Fake counters operate outside terminals with private operators charging 2-3x official rates. Always verify location with airport information desk before paying.
Firmly but politely say: “Thank you, but I don’t need help. Please return my bags.” If they refuse, call airport security loudly: “This person took my bags without permission.” Security will intervene immediately. Official porter rates are ₹60-₹100 per bag, not ₹500-₹1,000 demanded by unauthorized porters.
Yes. Airport exchange counters typically offer rates 10-12% worse than market rates. Example: If market rate is ₹83.20 per USD, airport offers ₹78.50, costing you ₹940 on $200 exchange. Better options: Use ATMs (lose only 2-3% in fees) or exchange minimal amount at airport, rest in city at authorized dealers.
Use Uber/Ola apps for transparent pricing and GPS tracking. If using prepaid taxis, only use official counters INSIDE terminals. Never accept help from touts approaching you. Have Google Maps open to track route in real-time. For late-night arrivals, pre-book hotel transport or verified taxi service.
Often NO. Price comparisons show Indian duty-free cosmetics and electronics are barely cheaper (sometimes more expensive) than taxed retail stores. Only alcohol shows real savings (20-30% vs Indian retail). Dubai/Singapore duty-free is 40% cheaper than Indian duty-free for same products. Always compare prices on phone before buying.
Verify official parking rates on airport website before trip. Maximum daily rates at Delhi Airport are ₹400/day, not ₹800+ quoted by fake attendants. For lost tickets, pay only official maximum rate (not inflated amounts). Demand official receipt and report overcharging to airport authorities via AirSewa portal if charged above official rates.
File complaints immediately through AirSewa Portal with evidence (photos, receipts, details). Report to airport security desk while still at airport. For serious fraud, file police complaint. Tag airports on social media with @MoCA_GoI for visibility. Most airports respond within 7-15 days to documented complaints.
Delhi IGI Airport (Terminal 3) reports highest scam frequency – fake taxi counters, aggressive porter mafia, worst currency exchange rates. Mumbai and Bangalore have moderate scam levels. Smaller regional airports (Goa, Jaipur) have high risk due to less oversight and limited official transport options. Always research specific airport scams before travelling.
This article provides general information about common scams at Indian airports based on traveller experiences and reports. Whilst we strive for accuracy, scam tactics evolve constantly. Information reflects situations reported as of December 2024. This content is for awareness and educational purposes only. Always exercise caution, trust your instincts, and report suspicious activity to airport authorities or police. Not all service providers at airports engage in these practices—this guide highlights known scam patterns to help travellers stay vigilant.
Eccentric Blogger, Traveler and Consultant.
