Possible Scams in Nepal

Scams occur in Nepal just like they do in every other nation. Given this, staying always vigilant is the best way to avoid falling victim to these scams. One obvious approach to avoid these scams is to travel within Nepal with a reputable tour operator, stay in reputable hotels, and dine at respectable establishments. The following are some of the most typical frauds that visitors visiting Nepal may run into:

City guide Scams: Your hired city guide will be quite eager to convince you to shop at stores with which he is friendly. Your guide receives a sizable commission when you make a pricey purchase from the shop.

Shoe Box Scams: Someone offers to serve as your unofficial tour guide for a low fee. His words will persuade and impress you. He will offer to drive you to his shantytown residence. You and his family will dine together. A blind man with a shoe box shows up out of nowhere and requests you to buy the shoe box for him. He will give the shoe box's pricing range, which ranges from $100 to $650.

Overly sweet people: It seems as though people go out of their way to be kind to you. Some folks simply act the part in hopes of receiving a generous gratuity from you. Apply your best judgment while assessing people.

Unreliable traders and tourist traps: Some store owners might be taking advantage of you. When you are shopping, keep an open mind. If you're a woman, report any sexual harassment you encounter in stores. When paying with a credit card, use caution and double-check that the agreed-upon amount is being entered during the transaction. Also, find out if using your credit card will result in any additional fees. Count the notes in front of the merchant if you are paying with cash.

Unofficial Guides: You make friends with one or two grownups. He will inquire about your country of origin before offering to be your free tour guide and claiming they are students using the experience to hone their abilities. They'll request a hefty tip after your journey is over. They might lead you to a store where they can convince you to make a large commission-generating purchase. They might even persuade you to join one of their friends on a pricey tour package.

NGO trekking operators: Although some NGOs and INGOs provide trekking services, they are not officially registered with the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN).

Scams involving milk powder, smiling babies, and beseeching mothers: A helpless girl or child would approach you but refuse to take money from you. They will beg you to buy milk powder for them and claim that their young child or a sibling is hungry. They will take you to a grocery store where they will have you choose the most costly milk powder, "Red Cow," at a marked-up price. They will return the item to the shop when you leave, take your money, and split the profits with the shop owner.

False tour guides: Also known as fly-by-night guides that will just disappear after taking a sizable deposit from you. Another marketing scheme raised costs across several accounts.

Scams involving helicopter rescue and evacuation: To entice you, a dishonest tour operator will offer a trekking trip at an extremely low cost. If you fall for it, you will have to sign a paper agreeing to be evacuated by helicopter in the event of an emergency. They will modify something such that you experience a specific disease during the voyage. They will make remarks that are potentially fatal and ask for your evacuation by helicopter before transporting you to a private hospital. These people collaborate with the hospital and the helicopter services, who both give them substantial commissions.

Ruthless Bars: You might be subjected to outrageous costs at some dance bars and nightclubs, and they might not let you leave until you pay the tab.

Taxi Rides: If you refuse to accept a fare before leaving for a place, some taxi drivers will attempt to rip you off.

Incorrect Illness and Disease Stories: Many porters, guides, and drivers have a tendency to give you false information about a family member who has been ill for a long time. They will try to earn your sympathies by trying to persuade you that they cannot afford to pay for their therapy. If you really want to help them, check and double-check with a trustworthy person.

Bus Scam: Official employees may overcharge you; be sure to ascertain the fare before boarding. You purchase a ticket, but later on, you could be switched to a worse seat with numerous justifications. Avoid doing this and reject their request.

Fares for rickshaws, airport taxis, and city taxis: Drivers may take advantage of foreign visitors who are lost. Ask your hotel personnel for a general estimate of the cost before leaving.

Holy Men Scams: In religious settings, holy men may approach you and bless you by placing a Tika on your forehead. Avoid them because they will demand a big tip.