Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Mirzāpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

1. Rickshaw Overcharging

Avoid overpriced rickshaw rides by negotiating the fare before starting your journey.

Avoid unofficial tour guides by asking for an ID and checking with local tourist offices.

Official Documentation: Request to see official documentation from the guide.
Tourist Office Verification: Confirm their affiliation with local tourist offices.
Research: Research recommended tour guides online before your visit.

Avoid restaurants offering very low prices or too many freebies, as they may be using substandard ingredients.

Reasonable Prices: Be wary of restaurants that offer extremely low prices.
Ambiance: Pay attention to the cleanliness and ambiance of the restaurant.
Customer Reviews: Check customer reviews online before dining at an unknown restaurant.

Avoid buying counterfeit products by purchasing from authorized dealers or shopping centers.

Authorized Dealers: Purchase items from authorized retailers.
Shopping Centers: Visit shopping centers known for selling authentic products.
Product Quality: Look for high-quality items to avoid counterfeits.

Avoid overpriced accommodations by booking in advance and comparing prices.

Avoid fraudulent money exchange by exchanging money at authorized banks or exchange centers.

Authorized Banks: Exchange your currency at authorized banks.
Exchange Centers: Opt for trusted exchange centers recommended by locals or tourist offices.
Exchange Rates: Check exchange rates before conducting transactions.

Avoid gold and jewelry scams by buying from reputable shops with certificates.

Reputable Shops: Purchase jewelry from well-known, reputable stores.
Certification: Insist on seeing certificates for the gold and jewels you plan to buy.
Quality Assurance: Ensure quality assurance through a reliable gemologist or appraisal.

Avoid taxi fare scams by using prepaid taxis or negotiating the fare before starting your journey.

Avoid street food risks by sticking to popular, well-reviewed stalls.

Avoid SIM card scams by purchasing from authorized dealers or shops.

Authorized Dealers: Purchase SIM cards from authorized retailers.
Shop Recommendations: Ask for recommendations from locals or tourist offices.
ID Verification: Ensure the vendor asks for proper identification before selling a SIM card.

Avoid unwanted attention by being cautious and maintaining a low profile.

Avoid fraudulent tuk-tuk drivers by negotiating the fare before starting your journey.

Negotiation: Negotiate the fare before starting your journey.
Awareness: Know the average rate for tuk-tuk rides in Mirzapur.
Route Verification: Insist on a specified route or ask for directions to your destination.

Avoid counterfeit medicine by purchasing from pharmacies and licensed drugstores.

Pharmacies: Purchase medication from licensed pharmacies.
Drugstore Licenses: Opt for licensed drugstores recommended by locals or tourist offices.
Prescriptions: Follow the prescription of a doctor if necessary.

Avoid scammy car rentals by booking in advance and checking the vehicle condition.

Avoid ATM skimming by using well-lit and crowded ATMs.

Well-lit ATMs: Use ATMs that are located in a well-lit area.
Crowded ATMs: Opt for crowded, busy ATMs to avoid any potential scams.
Card Insertion Technique: Insert your card carefully and cover the keypad while entering your PIN.