Police
100
Ambulance
102
Risk Map & Attractions
Common Scams
Train Ticket Booking Scam
Unlicensed travel agents charge for first-class fast train tickets but provide tickets for slow local commuter trains that stop at every station.
Use only reputable, established travel agents with good reviews. Book directly at railway stations or through official IRCTC website when possible.
Fake Tour Guide Scam
Unlicensed "guides" approach tourists at Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves, and other sites, offering services aggressively. Quality varies wildly and they often lead tourists to commission-paying shops.
Look for official ID badges. Book guides through hotels or reputable platforms like GetYourGuide/Viator.
Taxi/Auto-Rickshaw Meter Scam
Drivers refuse to use meters or claim meters are "broken," then charge 3-5x the actual fare. Some use rigged meters that run faster.
Use Uber/Ola apps exclusively. If using traditional taxis, insist on meter before entering or agree on fixed price in advance.
"Hotel Closed" Scam
Taxi drivers claim your booked hotel has closed, burned down, or moved. They take you to a different hotel where they get commission.
Call your hotel to confirm before leaving airport. Show driver your booking confirmation. Insist on going to your booked hotel.
Bracelet/Bindi "Gift" Scam
Street vendors (often children or women) tie bracelets on your wrist or apply bindis without permission, then demand $10-20 payment. Sometimes used as distraction for pickpocketing.
Keep hands in pockets or fists. Firmly say "no" and keep walking. Don't stop to engage.
Luggage "Helper" Scam
At Mumbai Central, CST, or airport, men grab your luggage claiming to help, then demand inflated fees (₹500-1000 for short distances).
Firmly decline all unsolicited help. Use official porters with ID badges and agree on price before they touch your bags.
Restaurant Bill Padding
Restaurants bring unrequested appetizers, drinks, or snacks, then add them to bill at inflated prices. Common in Colaba tourist area.
Refuse all unrequested items immediately. Check bill carefully before paying. Ask for itemized receipt.
Money Exchange Shortchanging
Currency exchangers use sleight of hand to shortchange tourists or swap large notes for smaller denominations while counting.
Count money yourself before leaving counter. Use ATMs or authorized exchange counters in banks/hotels only.
"Poo on Shoe" Scam
Scammer smears substance (resembling feces) on your shoes, then "helpfully" offers to clean them for a fee.
Refuse all cleaning offers. Walk away immediately if someone points out dirt on your shoes.
Fake Police/Official Scam
Scammers pose as police or tourism officials, claim your documents are fake or you've violated a law, then demand "fines" paid directly to them.
Real police will take you to a station, not demand cash on street. Ask to see ID and badge number. Call tourist police to verify.
Overpriced Bottled Water
Street vendors near tourist sites charge ₹50-100 for water bottles that cost ₹20 in shops.
Buy water from proper shops (More, Big Bazaar, local stores) before visiting tourist sites.
Gem/Carpet Export "Business Opportunity"
Friendly local befriends tourist, invites to tea, then proposes "business opportunity" to buy gems/carpets to export and resell for profit. Items are worthless fakes.
Never accept business proposals from strangers. No legitimate business opportunity comes from random street encounters.
Safe Attractions
Gateway of India
Popular tourist destination
Marine Drive
Popular tourist destination
Elephanta Caves
Popular tourist destination
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Popular tourist destination
Haji Ali Dargah
Popular tourist destination