Question 1

What is the "Currency Exchange Shortchange" scam in Islamabad?

Accepted Answer

Informal money changers around Aabpara market and near the Melody Food Park area shortchange tourists using fast-counting techniques. Pakistan's large denomination notes (5,000 PKR) are sometimes substituted with lower denominations during the hand-over count. Use bank ATMs (HBL, UBL, MCB) for PKR withdrawals. If using a money changer, count all notes yourself before leaving the counter. Do not allow the changer to recount after you have already counted.

Question 2

What is the "Carpet and Handicraft Overpricing at Lok Virsa" scam in Islamabad?

Accepted Answer

While Lok Virsa Heritage Museum is a legitimate institution, the surrounding souvenir and carpet vendors near the museum entrance and in the F-5 diplomatic enclave area quote tourists prices 3-8 times the fair market value for traditional Pakistani crafts, including Balochi embroidery, Swati woodwork, and Multani ceramics. Sellers invoke the quality of specific regions and claim items are certified folk art, which cannot be verified on the spot. Visit the Lok Virsa Gift Shop inside the museum which has fixed, transparent pricing. For comparison shopping, the Sunday Bazaar in H-9 and Karachi Company in F-7 offer similar items at significantly lower prices. Always negotiate and be prepared to walk away to signal you are price-aware.

Money & ATM Scams in Islamabad

Currency Exchange Shortchange

Carpet and Handicraft Overpricing at Lok Virsa

Experienced a scam here?