Street Scams in Udaipur, India
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Udaipur — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Kochi, Kandy, and Bengaluru.
Last updated: April 4, 2026
3
Street Scams Scams
14
Total in Udaipur
How it works
Udaipur and the surrounding region are known for genuine marble inlay work (pietra dura), but the tourist market is saturated with Chinese-manufactured or low-grade domestic imitations sold as authentic hand-inlaid marble. Painted alabaster or soapstone pieces are sold as marble, and machine-made inlay work is represented as hand-crafted. Prices for fake items can still be several thousand rupees.
How it works
Vendors in Udaipur souvenir shops sell mass-produced ceramic items labelled as "authentic Jaipur blue pottery" — a GI-tagged craft made in Jaipur using a distinctive quartz-based process. The items sold in Udaipur are either lower-quality domestic imitations or Chinese-manufactured ceramics with applied blue glaze.
How it works
Street vendors and some shops in the old city create a sense of urgency by telling tourists that today is a "special festival" or "market day" when prices are reduced. This is used to pressure a quick purchase at a price that is actually inflated over the normal asking rate. The tactic is particularly common in the lanes between Jagdish Temple and Lal Ghat.
See all scams in Udaipur
14 total warnings across all categories