There are few parking places in Guwahati, where you do not have to pay any
parking fee (provided it is not a “No Parking Zone”). Those places can
easily be identified if there is no banner suggesting that it is a
designated parking place or if no individual can be seen helping cars
park. However, if, while departing from the place, some random dude
approaches you for a parking fee and refuses to provide a receipt, it is a
scam, and do not pay any money to the individual(s). Although the amount demanded by the scammer is usually not huge, it is worth avoiding them.
2. Car Lift / Hitchhiking Scam
While waiting for a bus or taxi, you might be approached by people asking
if you were travelling to the same location they are travelling to and
whether you needed a lift. These are generally private vehicles and not
commercial taxis. The proposal might seem tempting due to the lower cost
and comfort of a private car. However, at any cost, avoid accepting such
proposals, as they might be scammers and might lead to midway robbery or
any other regrettable event. In recent times, multiple such cases have
been registered, thereby avoiding such hitchhiking scenarios.
3. Honey Trapping Scams
Online scams that target numerous people every day and make false promises
to provide sexual favours in exchange for money are not unknown. However,
after reading through several discussions and hearing people’s
experiences, I have come to realise that similar scams are occurring
offline as well. There are few areas in Guwahati, where you can easily
spot such “shady” activities being conducted in public places, such
as near roads, especially after sunset. You can spot such places if you
see multiple women standing in the dark and trying to approach random men. Never walk through such places. If you do,
random women will approach you, offering sexual favours in exchange for
money. Even if you refuse to accept their offer, they will keep following
you. They might even ask you if you want their phone numbers. Even if you
reject all the offers, they will start asking you for money on the pretext
that you have wasted their valuable time. They will threaten to get you
arrested or scream if you don’t pay. In the meantime, a few more women
might gather around you, and they will rob your money. If you do not have
cash, they will start asking for online transfers, and there is no limit
to their demand. You may end up losing thousands of rupees or even more. One example of
such a place is near the footbridge in Ganeshguri. Therefore, never walk
through such places. Additionally, always avoid getting involved in any kind prostitution-related activities.
4. Medical Emergency Scam
While walking through a street, especially a lonely one, you might be
approached by a stranger with a fake medical bill who will convey to you
their dire need for money, usually thousands of rupees at the moment, to
pay the medical bill. The act and bill will look extremely real, but avoid
falling into such traps. In case your humanity kicks in and you feel like
helping the person, you may ask the person to give a hospital address and
other details to verify, and although highly unlikely, if it turns out to
be true, provide the help within your capacity. Otherwise, do not hand out
money to strangers approaching you with such problems.
