6 Common Tourist Scams to Avoid in Qatar

A country in West Asia, Qatar stands out for its exceptional commercial infrastructure. However, it is not restricted to business. The tourism aspect of Qatar is also popular, with the stunning desert peninsula, museums and shopping sites. 

Like other countries, tourist scams in Qatar are a common phenomenon, and you should know about them to tackle these scammers during your trip.

Here are some of the top scams in Qatar:

1. Booking and Deal Scam

One of the biggest scams occurs when tourists try to book hotels or resorts in Qatar online. Multiple websites and travel agencies that appear genuine on the surface approach them, offering great deals. 

However, once they make the payment, these agencies never contact or guide them any further. Sometimes people also receive exciting discount vouchers and coupons for famous brands in Qatar, which is another common online spam in Qatar.

Common Around: Across the country

2. Taxi Scam

A common scam is related to the charging system in taxis. Tourists need these when they are unable to book app cabs. Mostly, the drivers refuse to turn on the meters and often charge an unfairly large amount up front. 

In a few rare cases, they also refuse to give the change once the tourist pays for the trip, making up excuses. 

Common Around: Doha, Al Rayyan Municipality and Al Wakrah

3. Fake Currency Scam

In some parts of Qatar, a stranger may approach you, asking if a bundle of money on the floor belongs to you. Those who agree to this deal with a major scam, whereby another stranger appears, accusing the tourist of stealing and spreading fake currency. 

In the meantime, the other stranger might steal your money and belongings. 

Common Around: Doha and Al Rayyan Municipality

4. Sob Stories

There are very few street beggars in Qatar. However, you may come across a group of people, who introduce themselves as a family. They mostly approach tourists, explaining how they came from a different country and are unable to return due to financial constraints. 

Such people usually appear sad and genuine, and most tourists fall for their stories. However, it is important to know that this is actually a scam for extracting money. 

Common Around: Doha and Al Rayyan Municipality

5. Flight Scam

There have been some instances and reports of scams for Qatar Airways. 

Firstly, multiple third-party sites claim to complete the process of ticket booking from the airlines, making the process hassle-free for the buyers. However, they do not actually book the flight tickets and never refund the buyers. 

Secondly, there are incidents whereby people booked guided tours from Discover Qatar and were refused service or refunds simply because they were later. 

Common Around: Across the country 

6. Pickpockets

There are a few instances of pickpockets in Qatar, especially when you are visiting extremely crowded tourist spots. Bumping into strangers and later discovering the theft of money is common in these areas. 

Carrying money and valuables in these places can be a matter of concern for tourists. 

Common Around: Doha, Al Rayyan Municipality and Al Wakrah

Now that you know the common tourist scams in Qatar, it is important to know the best ways to avoid these to ensure a safe and hassle-free holiday. Getting Travel Insurance for Qatar can be a helpful step towards ensuring basic safety and emergency coverage.

A few other tips are listed below: 

• Choose only reliable and authentic websites for booking hotels and accommodation in Qatar. Conduct research in advance to identify the right websites and consult professional travel agents to avoid making advance bookings on a fake website. 
• Whenever you need to take a taxi, remember to ask the driver to turn on the meter. Avoid such cabs that refuse to do so. Also, ask them if they have changed to avoid losing money when making the payment. 
• Remember to keep your cards and cash in your hotel rooms in safe baggage. Travel Insurance that Provides Financial Emergency can come in handy if you ever experience pickpocketing and theft in this country. 
• In public places and tourist destinations, avoid talking to people who try to be overfriendly. Immediately walk away if they strike up any conversation regarding finding money on the floor. 
• Avoid walking in the direction of groups of people claiming to be families on the roads. Even if they approach, you can simply walk away, making some excuse, as they usually request a large amount of money and can steal your money in the process. 
• When walking on the streets, especially in crowded, popular tourist destinations, make sure not to carry much cash or valuables on you. Carrying cards can also be dangerous. Keep minimal cash to avoid pickpockets. 
• Avoid booking flights from any third-party websites. If you are going for Qatar Airways and booking tours with Discover Qatar, try to arrive at least an hour before the check-in time so that your booking does not get rejected. 
• It is important to keep all your documents safe and secure in a foreign country like Qatar, as they are integral to your return procedure. However, if you lose your passport, the best idea is to contact the Indian Embassy Office in Doha, Qatar. 

The Embassy of India in Doha is always available to handle your emergency requirements when you are visiting Qatar. The police forces are also helpful and quick to extend support whenever tourists are facing trouble in this country. Here are some additional emergency resources you can use when you need help in Qatar:

• Emergency Contact for Police or Ambulance: 999

• Road and Traffic Emergencies: +974 489 0666

• Qatar Airways: 4449 6000

• Indian Embassy in Qatar: 4425 5777

Thus, as you can see, travel scams in Qatar can be harmful to tourists. If you are planning your dream vacation in Qatar, knowing about these issues and planning to avoid them can be helpful for you. The tips mentioned here are beneficial when avoiding such scams and ensuring a safe visit to this country.