New Delhi: An Indian couple based in the United States has raised concerns over the duty-free shopping process at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, questioning whether passengers could be exposed to a fraudulent practice involving passport scanning.
Couple questions passport-scanning process
According to a report by The Indian Express, the couple shared their experience online after encountering what they described as a suspicious procedure at the duty-free area of IGI Airport’s Terminal 3.
The couple reportedly questioned why their passports needed to be scanned during the purchase process and expressed concern about how the information could be used.
Their account subsequently drew attention on social media, with the incident prompting questions from other travellers about the procedures followed at airport duty-free outlets.
Concerns spark online discussion
The couple reportedly questioned whether there was a “scam” taking place, although their allegation does not by itself establish that any fraud occurred.
Passport and travel-document details are routinely used in various airport and travel-related processes. However, the couple’s concerns have led to wider discussion about transparency and how passengers’ personal information is handled during duty-free purchases.
The incident highlights the importance of travellers understanding why personal documents are requested and ensuring that they are dealing with authorised airport retailers.
What travellers should keep in mind
Passengers who have concerns about a transaction at an airport can seek clarification from the retailer or airport authorities before proceeding. They can also retain receipts and other transaction details if they believe something unusual has occurred.
The reported experience has drawn attention largely because of the couple’s doubts about the purpose of passport scanning during duty-free shopping. Any claim of fraud would require verification by the relevant authorities.
For now, the incident serves as a reminder for international travellers to remain alert about transactions involving personal information while also avoiding conclusions based solely on an individual experience.