Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Herāt, Herāt, Afghanistan

1. Herāt Taxi Scam

Avoid overpriced or unofficial taxis; insist on a meter and agree on price beforehand.

Buy from reputable vendors; beware of fake branded items or low-quality goods.

Counterfeit Items: Sellers may pass off poor quality or fake goods as genuine.
Overpriced Goods: Some vendors take advantage of tourists by charging high prices.
Health Risks: Counterfeit goods may contain harmful substances or be improperly made.

Choose street food vendors with high turnover and good hygiene; avoid foods that are suspicious or not fresh.

Foodborne Illness: Unsanitary conditions can lead to food poisoning.
Contaminated Food: Street vendors may use expired ingredients or reuse cooking oil.
Overpriced Food: Vendors may charge tourists more than locals for the same items.

Book through reliable sources; inspect hotel before paying or committing to a long stay.

Shoddy Accommodations: Hotels may provide poor quality rooms or services.
Fraudulent Bookings: Scammers may take your money without providing accommodations.
Hidden Fees: Hotels may charge additional fees for services that were not agreed upon.

Use licensed exchange offices; beware of rates significantly below the market average.

Unfavorable Rates: Scammers may offer low exchange rates to make a profit.
Counterfeit Currency: Scammers may give you fake or damaged currency.
Misleading Fees: Some exchange offices charge hidden fees for their services.

Choose a licensed tour guide; beware of guides who offer unrealistic itineraries.

Unlicensed Guides: Guides without licenses may lack knowledge or lead you to scams.
Overpriced Tours: Some guides charge tourists more for their services.
Misleading Information: Guides may provide false or inaccurate information about attractions.

Purchase sim cards from authorized retailers; beware of SIM cards that require personal information upfront.

Data Theft: Scammers may steal your personal information using the SIM card.
Unauthorized Charges: Scammers may charge you for services or data packages without your knowledge.
Damaged or Defective SIM Cards: Scammers may provide damaged or non-functional SIM cards.

Use ATMs inside banks or reputable establishments; beware of card skimmers and shoulder surfers.

Card Skimming: Scammers may install devices to steal your card information.
Shoulder Surfing: Thieves may watch as you enter your PIN for fraudulent purposes.
ATM Tampering: Scammers may tamper with ATMs to steal your money or card information.

Rent from reputable companies; inspect the vehicle thoroughly before driving away.

Damaged or Defective Vehicles: Scammers may rent out vehicles in poor condition.
Hidden Charges: Car rental companies may charge for damages that occurred before your rental.
Incomplete Paperwork: Rental agreements may not be clear or complete, leading to disputes.

Choose reputable organizers; verify that events and activities are authentic.

Fake Cultural Experiences: Scammers may offer fake cultural experiences or attractions.
Overpriced Events: Some organizers charge tourists more for their services.
Misleading Information: Organizers may provide false or inaccurate information about the cultural experience.

Verify the legitimacy of organizations before donating; beware of overly aggressive solicitors.

Fraudulent Organizations: Scammers may create fake charities to collect money.
Donation Abuse: Some organizations may misuse donations for personal gain.
Aggressive Solicitation: Scammers may aggressively ask for donations, making tourists uncomfortable.

Appreciate performers but be cautious about interacting or giving money.

Aggressive Performances: Some performers may be overly aggressive in asking for money.
Counterfeit Money: Scammers may accept your money and give you fake change.
Misleading Performances: Performers may mislead tourists into thinking they are supporting a good cause.

Purchase tickets from authorized vendors; beware of counterfeit or overpriced tickets.

Counterfeit Tickets: Scammers may sell you fake or tampered tickets.
Overpriced Tickets: Some vendors charge tourists more for their services.
Misleading Information: Vendors may provide false or inaccurate information about the attraction.

Rent from reputable companies; inspect the property thoroughly before committing.

Shoddy Accommodations: Scammers may rent out poor quality properties.
Fraudulent Rentals: Scammers may take your money without providing accommodations.
Hidden Fees: Landlords may charge additional fees for services that were not agreed upon.

Meet locals in safe and public places; verify their identity before sharing personal information.

Identity Theft: Scammers may pose as locals to steal your personal information.
Fraudulent Intentions: Some individuals may have ulterior motives, such as theft or extortion.
Misleading Information: Scammers may provide false information about themselves or the local area.