Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Rājshāhi, Bangladesh

1. Rickshaw Fare Scam

Overcharging tourists for rickshaw rides; learn the standard fare beforehand to avoid overpaying.

Awareness: Knowledge about the standard rickshaw fare in Rajshahi
Bargaining Skills: Negotiating a fair price before starting the journey
Reliable Sources: Relying on trustworthy information sources for fare details

Booked hotels that do not exist or lack facilities; ensure to book through reputable channels.

Reputation: Choosing hotels with good reputation and reviews
Booking Channel: Booking through well-known travel agencies or online platforms
Backup Plan: Having a backup hotel option in case of issues with the initial booking

Unfavorable exchange rates or false bills; only exchange money at licensed exchange centers.

Licensed Exchange Centers: Exchanging money exclusively at authorized exchange booths
Comparison: Comparing exchange rates among multiple licensed centers before choosing one
Secure Transactions: Ensuring secure transactions and keeping count of exchanged money

Misleading tourists or demanding excessive fees; hire guides through recommended sources.

Recommendations: Choosing guides recommended by trusted travelers or locals
Licensed Guides: Hiring officially licensed tour guides
Predefined Rates: Asking for predetermined rates and sticking to them during the tour

Selling low-quality or non-functional SIM cards; buy from official outlets or authorized dealers.

Official Outlets: Purchasing SIM cards only from authorized stores of telecom operators
Dealer Verification: Verifying the identity of the dealer before making a purchase
Test Before Buying: Testing the SIM card functionality before leaving the store

Misrepresenting item quality or prices; practice fair haggling while shopping in bazaars.

Knowledgeable Shopping: Researching local market prices beforehand
Negotiation Skills: Developing negotiation skills to get fair deals
Trustworthy Sellers: Buying from sellers with good reputation and positive feedback

Serving contaminated food in restaurants; choose hygienic eateries for a safe meal.

Hygiene Ratings: Avoiding restaurants with poor hygiene ratings
Recommendations: Choosing eateries recommended by locals or fellow travelers
Hygiene Practices: Checking for cleanliness and proper food handling in restaurants

Overcharging for short tuk-tuk rides; know the standard fare and negotiate before riding.

Cheating in local transport costs; learn the standard fare for buses and shared rickshaws.

Awareness: Knowledge about the standard fare for local transport in Rajshahi
Bargaining Skills: Negotiating a fair price before boarding the vehicle
Reliable Sources: Relying on trustworthy information sources for fare details

Overcharging tourists for entrance fees; confirm the official prices before visiting attractions.

Official Prices: Asking for the official entrance fee of each attraction
Online Research: Researching online for the standard entrance fees before visiting
Guided Tours: Ensuring guided tours include all entrance fees in their packages

Issuing fake bus tickets or overbooking; buy bus tickets from reputable sources.

Reputation: Choosing bus services with good reputation and reviews
Booking Channel: Booking tickets through well-known travel agencies or online platforms
Backup Plan: Having a backup plan in case of issues with the initial booking

Misleading tourists to specific shops or restaurants for commission; navigate using maps and ask locals for directions.

Navigation Tools: Using maps and navigation apps for guidance
Asking Locals: Asking locals for directions to avoid misleading routes
Independent Exploration: Exploring independently without relying on a single tuk-tuk driver

Overcharging for festival events or selling fake tickets; plan ahead and research official ticket sources.

Advanced Planning: Researching and planning festival schedules in advance
Official Sources: Buying tickets from authorized event organizers or official outlets
Reputable Information: Relying on reputable sources for accurate festival information

Overcharging for taxi rides; know the standard fare and negotiate before starting the journey.

Awareness: Knowledge about the standard fare for taxis in Rajshahi
Bargaining Skills: Negotiating a fair price before starting the journey
Reliable Sources: Relying on trustworthy information sources for fare details

Booked accommodations that do not exist or lack facilities; ensure to book through reputable channels.

Reputation: Choosing accommodations with good reputation and reviews
Booking Channel: Booking through well-known travel agencies or online platforms
Backup Plan: Having a backup accommodation option in case of issues with the initial booking