Accommodation Scams in Mumbai, India
Fake listings, bait-and-switch hotels, ghost rentals, and check-in fraud. Below are the accommodation scams scams reported in Mumbai — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Kandy, Amritsar, and Kochi.
Last updated: April 7, 2026
2
Accommodation Scams Scams
18
Total in Mumbai
How it works
Taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers picking up tourists from the airport or CST frequently claim that the hotel the visitor has booked is "closed," "full," or "under renovation." The driver then offers to take the passenger to an alternative property where the driver collects a commission from the hotelier. The substituted hotel is typically more expensive, of lower quality, or both.
How it works
Fraudulent websites mimicking legitimate Indian hotel booking portals create convincing listings for Mumbai properties, complete with stolen photos and fabricated reviews. Tourists who book and prepay via UPI transfer or bank deposit arrive to find no reservation exists at the property, or in some cases, the property itself does not exist at the address given.
See all scams in Mumbai
18 total warnings across all categories