An American tourist, who travelled to India with her husband to visit the world-famous Taj Mahal, revealed that her trip took an unexpected turn when she realised she had fallen for a scam. “Day 1 in India:
Taj Mahal Tour + My First Scam lol,” the woman wrote over the video, where she shared the details of the scam that took place at a handicraft shop.
“My husband and I booked a tour to go see the Taj Mahal, and we got to go on this high-speed train to get there, which was so fun,” she said while the visuals showed the couple enjoying their train ride to Agra. The woman then informed her followers that she had booked the tour online, which was all-inclusive. Their package included hotel pick-up, train to Agra, and a private tour guide.
The couple was then seen at the iconic Taj Mahal, and it lived up to their expectations. The white marble mausoleum, which houses the tombs of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, amazed the woman. As she took her time looking at the magnificent monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, she declared it “absolutely epic.” Their itinerary also included stops at the “Baby Taj” and the Red Fort.
So, What Was The Scam?
Their trip took an unexpected turn when their tour guide brought them to a handicraft shop, where they purchased what they believed was a hand-embroidered artisan purse. The shop charged them a whopping Rs 37,000 for the purse. “This was supposed to be a hand-embroidered purse, which, honestly, it’s gorgeous. I’m still gonna wear it, but I looked up reviews afterwards and realised it was all fake,” she revealed.
The Tourist Asked People Not To Talk Down On India
Despite the scam, she urged people not to talk down on Indians. She wrote, “NGL I was pissed about that purse, but the setup they had was hella elaborate. There were even fake artisans ‘working on things’ at the shop lol GOT ME. Also, the Taj Mahal is a must-see. Absolutely incredible and breathtaking!! Disclaimer: I don’t want to see any comments talking down on India. We have plenty of scams here in the US and everywhere else in the world.”
People Online Share Similar Experiences
Her video caught the attention of people online, with some sharing their experiences and others asking her to stay cautious. One user said, “We almost fell for the gem scam in Thailand! You win some, you lose some. That purse is beautiful, regardless!”
“It is hand-embroidered. Been working in the fashion industry for a long time and can tell a hand embroidery from a machine just by seeing it and the techniques used to embroider it. Maybe the price you paid was unjustified, but it’s definitely hand-embroidered!” another added.
A different person shared, “My fiancé and I had a similar experience with some artwork. We realised it was a scam, but it was just too beautiful not to buy.”
“The same thing happened to me in New York. Don’t think it’s a developing country thing. More like we live in a capitalist society that demands an impoverished class thing,” someone else penned.
Since the woman posted the clip, it has garnered thousands of views.
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