There are several instances of violent crime against foreigner in India. Many of the crimes occur against foreigners only. Petty crime, like pickpocketing, bag snatching etc. are common in India. Stealing of passport and valuables of foerigners from luggage on trains and buses is common. Scams involving export of jewels also occur in India, which target foreign citizens.
Political demonstrations are common in India and frequently turn violent. Transportation and services often get disrupted. Traveling alone in remote areas after dark is of particular risks for foreigners.
Travelers who are not in groups become easy victims of pickpockets and purse snatchers. Purse snatchers work in crowded areas.
In India, theft of U.S. passports is very common, especially in major tourist areas. Tourist locations and markets are visited by criminals looking to target foreigners. Westerners, including U.S. citizens, have become victim of robbery, rape and other violent attacks.
Because the US citizens' purchasing power is relatively large than the general population, US citizens become more preferred target for robbery or other serious crime.
Taxi scam There are also taxi scams present in India where a foreign traveler, who is not aware of the locations around Indian airports, is taken for a ride round the whole airport and charged for full-fare taxi ride while the terminal is only few hundred yards away. Overseas Security Advisory Council in a report mentioned the process about how to avoid taxi-scam.
Scam incidents Many scams are perpetrated against foreign travelers, especially in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Scams usually target younger foreign tourists and suggest them that money can be made by privately transporting gems or gold or by taking delivery abroad of expensive carpets avoiding customs duties.
Such incidents pull the traveler over the course of several days and begin with a new scam artist who offers to show the foreign traveler the sights. They also offer cheap lodgings and meals to foreign travellers so that they can place the traveler in the physical custody of the scam artist and can leave the foreigner with threats and physical coercion. In the due process, the foreigner lose his passport.