Tourist Scams in Bangladesh

CNG auto-rickshaws and private cars outside Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport routinely quote foreigners fares of 1,500-3,000 BDT for journeys to Gulshan or Dhanmondi that should cost 400-800 BDT. Drivers claim meters are not operational or that traffic conditions require a special rate.

How to avoid: Use Pathao or Shohoz ride-hailing apps for transparent fares. The airport also has a prepaid taxi counter inside arrivals with fixed rates. Confirm the fare in BDT before entering any vehicle.

Cycle rickshaw drivers in Old Dhaka around Sadarghat and Lalbagh Fort quote foreigners five to ten times the local fare for short journeys. A 10-minute ride priced at 20-30 BDT for locals is often quoted at 200-500 BDT for tourists. Some drivers demand more at the destination than agreed at the start.

How to avoid: Observe what locals pay for comparable journeys before negotiating. Agree on a firm price in BDT before boarding. Have small notes ready so you can pay the agreed amount without change being required.

Fraudulent websites and Facebook pages impersonate official Bangladesh government visa services, tourist registration portals, and e-visa assistance companies. Victims pay fees ranging from USD 30–150 for services that are either free through official channels or simply never delivered. Some scammers collect passport scan copies and other personal documents for identity fraud.

How to avoid: Use only the official Bangladesh e-visa portal (evisa.gov.bd) or your country's Bangladesh Embassy for visa applications. Verify any third-party visa agent has a physical office address and verifiable registration. Never send passport scans to unverified Facebook pages or WhatsApp contacts.

Informal money changers near Motijheel commercial district and around New Market shortchange tourists using the standard fast-count technique, substituting lower denomination notes mid-bundle or folding notes to obscure the count. Bangladesh's 1,000 BDT note resembles some lower denominations under poor lighting.

How to avoid: Use Dutch-Bangla Bank or BRAC Bank ATMs for BDT withdrawals. If using a money changer, count every note individually face-up before leaving the counter. Do not allow the counter to be touched after you have counted.

Self-appointed guides outside the Lalbagh Fort entrance collect "fees" framed as mandatory for foreign visitors and provide tours of questionable accuracy. Bangladesh's official entry fee for foreigners is separate and paid at the ticket window — no guide fee is mandatory.

How to avoid: Pay entry fees only at the official Archaeological Department ticket counter. Decline guide offers outside the gate and hire only through the on-site official guide service if desired.

Boat operators at Sadarghat river terminal offer tours of the Buriganga River that start at 200-300 BDT but escalate with add-ons — longer routes, additional stops, "special views" — that were not discussed before departure. Some operators demand payment before returning to the dock.

How to avoid: Agree on a complete itinerary and total price in writing (or clearly stated in front of witnesses) before boarding. Do not pay until the boat has returned to the dock.

Self-appointed photography guides approach tourists near Sadarghat and the Old Dhaka riverfront, offering exclusive access to photogenic boat yards, fish markets, and sunset spots along the Buriganga River. After leading visitors through the winding lanes, they demand payment far above any agreed price and may block your return route. Some guides collaborate with nearby shop owners for additional commission pressure.

How to avoid: Agree on all fees explicitly before starting any guided walk, preferably in writing or via a translated note. Consider hiring guides through your hotel or a registered Dhaka tour operator. For Sadarghat and Old Dhaka, the main sights are publicly accessible without a guide.

Budget guesthouses in the Purana Paltan and Motijheel areas advertise amenities — air conditioning, hot water, Wi-Fi — that are either non-functional or absent on arrival. Photos on booking platforms show the best room in the property while standard rooms are significantly worse.

How to avoid: Read reviews from the past six months specifically mentioning room condition and advertised amenities. Call the hotel directly before booking to confirm specific amenities are currently operational.