Mumbai Scams to Avoid in 2026 (India)
Mumbai visitors face taxi meter tampering, fake tourist offices near Gateway of India, and friendly strangers leading them to overpriced shops for commissions.
Tour & Activities scams are the most documented risk in Mumbai — 4 of 11 reported incidents fall in this category. See all 4 →
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
Fake Tourist Office Near Gateway of India
Official-looking travel agencies near Gateway of India and Colaba Causeway claim to be government tourism offices offering discounted hotel bookings and tour packages. They collect money for services they cannot or do not deliver.
📍Near Gateway of India on Apollo Bunder, along Colaba Causeway, and in the lanes around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in the Fort area of south Mumbai
How to avoid: The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is the official tourism body. Any other "government" office near tourist sites is private and possibly fraudulent. Book hotels directly or through established platforms.
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High Risk
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Medium Risk
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Low Risk
Mumbai · India · South Asia
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Mumbai
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Fake Tourist Office Near Gateway of India
Near Gateway of India on Apollo Bunder, along Colaba Causeway, and in the lanes around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in the Fort area of south Mumbai
Fake Tourist Office Near Gateway of India
Near Gateway of India and Apollo Bunder waterfront, along the Colaba Causeway tourist strip, and in the lanes between Colaba market and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
Commission-Based Bhoot Ride at CST
Outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST) station in the Fort area of south Mumbai, and along the approach roads from Colaba Causeway and Flora Fountain
Taxi Meter Rigging from Airport
Taxi stands outside Terminal 1 (domestic) and Terminal 2 (international) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Andheri, and on the road from the terminal to the Western Express Highway
Gem Export Investment Scam
Around the Gateway of India forecourt, along Arthur Bunder Road near the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, and on Colaba Causeway between the market stalls and Cafe Mondegar.
Auto-Rickshaw Meter Refusal in Tourist Areas
South Mumbai tourist area including Colaba, the Gateway of India precinct on Apollo Bunder, and the approach roads to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus; auto-rickshaws are technically not permitted south of Mahim Creek
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How it works
Official-looking travel agencies near Gateway of India and Colaba Causeway claim to be government tourism offices offering discounted hotel bookings and tour packages. They collect money for services they cannot or do not deliver.
How it works
Unofficial "tourist information" offices near the Gateway of India pose as government-run services but are private businesses selling overpriced tour packages, transport, and hotel bookings while collecting high commissions.
How it works
Auto-rickshaw drivers near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus tell tourists the station they want is closed or flooded, then offer to take them to an alternative that earns the driver a commission.
How it works
Some taxis from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport use rigged meters or quote flat tourist rates well above the official metered fare for journeys to South Mumbai.
How it works
Around the Gateway of India and Colaba Causeway, well-dressed individuals strike up friendly conversations with tourists before explaining a supposedly lucrative gem re-export scheme. They claim Indian gems can be resold in the visitor's home country at massive profit and ask tourists to carry gems or transfer money to a supplier. The gems are worthless glass and any money transferred is lost immediately.
How it works
In Colaba and tourist-heavy South Mumbai, auto-rickshaw drivers refuse to use meters and demand flat rates 3–5x higher than metered fares. Some claim to not go to certain areas to force tourists into higher-priced alternatives.
How it works
Jewellery vendors on Colaba Causeway sell silver-coloured items described as "925 silver" that are actually nickel or white metal alloy, easily identifiable by the lack of a hallmark and the green oxidation that appears within days.
How it works
Touts near tourist hotels sell Dharavi slum tours at inflated prices, using a guide who provides little genuine cultural insight and steers tourists to commission shops selling overpriced goods.
How it works
Touts near the Gateway of India and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus approach tourists claiming that a major attraction is "closed today for a government function" or "under renovation." They then offer to take visitors to an alternative site — usually a shop or overpriced private tour — collecting a commission from the business. The attraction is virtually never actually closed.
How it works
Children or adults approach tourists with packaged goods (pickle, sweets, incense) claiming to be selling for school or charity. If you buy, you may be followed by others; if you refuse, some become abusive.
How it works
Guides near the Dhobi Ghat (open-air laundry) offer photography vantage points for a fee, then demand additional payment once you are in position, or charge for every photo taken.
Mumbai Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
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If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the South Asia region. Before visiting Colombo, Goa, and Varanasi, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Mumbai are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →