Gem and Jewelry Frauds
Fake Sapphire Sales
In gem-mining areas like Ratnapura and around Colombo, vendors approach tourists at markets or hotels, claiming to sell 'discounted' sapphires or other gems directly from mines. They use polished fakes that resemble real stones, often quoting prices like 5,000 LKR for a supposed 'rare' gem worth much less, and pressure buyers to purchase immediately with stories of family mines or export restrictions.
- Purchase gems only from National Gem and Jewellery Authority-certified stores in Colombo.
- Request an official gem certificate before buying, which costs around 1,000 LKR and verifies authenticity.
- Avoid engaging with street vendors near tourist spots like the Dutch Hospital in Colombo, and be wary of unsolicited offers in public transport hubs.
Tea Plantation Scams
Tour operators in the hill country, such as Nuwara Eliya, offer 'free' tea plantation tours but divert groups to overpriced tea shops where they earn commissions. Guides might claim exclusive access to private estates and charge 2,000 LKR for a 'special' tea tasting session that includes low-quality tea sold at inflated prices, up to 1,500 LKR per pack.
- Book tours through reputable companies like Sri Lanka Tourism-approved operators.
- Research and visit well-known plantations like those in Nuwara Eliya independently, and compare tea prices in advance—genuine Ceylon tea packs cost around 500-800 LKR.
- Politely decline unsolicited tour offers and use official maps to navigate popular sites.
Fake Tour Guide Extortions
Unauthorized Site Guides
At cultural sites like Sigiriya or Anuradhapura, self-proclaimed guides approach tourists, posing as official experts, and demand 2,000-5,000 LKR for tours. They provide misleading information, extend the tour to include commission-based shops, and sometimes threaten bad reviews or involve fake officials if payment is refused.
- Hire guides only from licensed counters at sites, identifiable by their official badges from the Department of Archaeology.
- Use audio guides or apps for self-tours, which cost about 500 LKR at major sites like Sigiriya.
- Report suspicious guides to site security, and carry a translation of common Sinhala phrases like 'I only deal with official guides' to assert boundaries.