Fake Tour Packages
Bogus Gobi Desert Excursions
In Mongolia, scammers posing as legitimate operators advertise cheap Gobi Desert tours through social media or hostels in Ulaanbaatar, promising all-inclusive packages for around 200,000 MNT. Once on the trip, tourists find vehicles are poorly maintained, leading to breakdowns, and accommodations in ger camps are substandard or nonexistent, with scammers demanding extra payments of 50,000-100,000 MNT for 'emergency' services in remote areas like Dalanzadgad.
- Book through verified operators listed on the Mongolian Tourism Board website, which often requires a license number.
- Cross-check tour details and prices in Tugrik against reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor, focusing on recent reports from the Gobi region.
- Insist on a written contract in Mongolian or English that includes specific itineraries and contingency plans for breakdowns, as local law mandates this for registered tours.
Counterfeit Souvenir Sales
Throughout Mongolia, especially in markets or near tourist sites like the Genghis Khan Statue, vendors sell fake cashmere scarfs or 'antique' Mongol artifacts, claiming they are authentic and handcrafted by nomads. Items are priced at 50,000-150,000 MNT but are mass-produced imports from China, with sellers using high-pressure tactics in crowded areas to prevent inspection.
- Purchase from certified cooperatives or stores in Ulaanbaatar that display the 'Made in Mongolia' authenticity label, often found in government-run shops.
- Test cashmere items for quality by checking for a soft, warm feel and ask for a receipt with a guarantee, as local customs emphasize transparency in traditional crafts.
- Avoid buying from street vendors in unregulated markets and instead visit established outlets like the State Department Store, where prices are fixed and scams are rarer.