Scams

Top tourist scams to watch out for when in Pakistan

Pakistan despite its negative media coverage is a land of scenic beauty and home to one of the most hospitable populations on the planet.

One must however always be on the alert as the tourist scams seen in many other parts of the world occur here in some form or another.

It helps you be in the know that we at Travset prepared this list of the most common scams reported by those who have visited it.

1. Pickpockets

Pakistan as with any other tourist destination is home to pickpockets who are known to work in groups in order to part you from your money.

How to avoid- read out guide to staying ahead of pickpockets.

2. Counterfeit Goods

Those fake Adidas and Nike shoes you just bought for unbelievably low prices won’t last a month.

How to avoid- be smart and buy genuine goods.

3. Drugs

Alcohol is banned for the most part in Pakistan and sneaking a few puffs of marijuana might seem tempting.

Do however do this at your own risk as the drug peddler might turn you over to the police himself unless a hefty bribe is paid for his silence.

How to avoid- don’t do drugs

4. The milk powder scam

Young mothers holding babies have been known to approach foreigners asking for donations to purchase milk powder for the baby.

Once agreed, the foreigner is taken to a shop where the said milk powder is absurdly expensive.

The purchased milk powder is then returned to the shop by the young mother in exchange for a commission from the sale.

How to avoid- avoid those who approach with such requests.

5. Kidnapping

Reports of foreigners being kidnapped by militants or those motivated by ransom are not unheard of.

How to avoid- follow travel warning and avoid getting off the beaten path. Travel in groups with locals who are familiar with the local geography.

It is also wise to avoid any flashy displays of wealth as these are bound to draw attention to you.

6. Crooked taxis

A scam that is common to many tourist hotspots around the world, the taxi scam is where taxi drivers quote low prices, take longer than unnecessary routes and overcharge unsuspecting travelers.

How to avoid- haggle for a price and insist that it stays constant prior to setting off. Ensure that the taxi driver understands that you have google maps on your phone and will be aware of any changes in the route.

7. Credit card fraud

There have been reports of card skimming in restaurants where the servers take your card for a bit too long in the guise of verifying your transaction.

How to avoid- do not let your cards out of sight. Use cash as much as possible.

8. ATM scams

With increasing reports of ATM skimming, it is wise to ensure the ATM you use is one that is safe and will not compromise your financial data.

How to avoid- use ATMs that are in well-lit areas or in locations such as banks and malls which makes it difficult to install additional hardware for con men.

9. Fake travel agents

Unlicensed individuals claiming to be travel agents have been known to dupe tourists with offers of cheap tickets to trains, buses, and even tours.

How to avoid- do your research beforehand and only purchase your tickets and tours from genuine sources.

10. The touts

The nefarious touts will have you buying everything from magic herbal potions that cure all ailments to Chinese scarves they claim is from the tribal groups in the mountains.

How to avoid- firmly reject