I Misplaced a Decimal in Kathmandu and Got Scammed as a Result

In 2013, MK and I trekked in Nepal’s Himalayas, spending time both pre- and post-trek in Kathmandu and Pokhara. This is part 2 of an 8 part series on our experiences. Please use this site’s search function to read other parts of this Nepal series.

I like to consider myself somewhat of a seasoned traveler, one who knows the ropes, and one who can sniff out trouble or sniff out a scam before it happens. Well, even the best of us can get taken. I was embarrassed.  I mean, really embarrassed; and I felt like a fool.

After many long and tiring hours, we finally arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal. The lines for customs, immigration and visas were long. The arrival hall was hot and stuffy. While MK waited to hold our place in line, I exchanged USD for Nepali Rupees at the money exchange desk. The rate was fairly simple to understand. 100 rupees equals one US dollar, more or less. That meant that in my wad of 1000 rupee bills, each note equaled about ten dollars. 

At the exit, we followed a man with a sign that had our tour organizer's name on it, as we were instructed to do. He had to be an employee of the company, right? Well, that is not necessarily so. He walked us to our car and our drivers, using two porters to carry our luggage.

At the car, in the hustle and bustle, in the heat and humidity, and with my very tired and weary self helping them load and distribute our luggage into the tiny trunk and tiny back seat of the car, he told me that I should tip the porters. I asked him what would be the appropriate amount as I pointed to a part of my newly acquired wad of 1000 rupee bills. He told me that I should give each of them five of those bills. 

I was tired and worn out. Everything was hurried and rushed. Cars were waiting behind us honking their horns and trying to get around us. My mathematical skills had weakened. I misplaced a decimal. I was thinking each bill was worth a dollar, not ten dollars. I was thinking that to give them each five notes, they would each be getting a five dollar tip. That seems high, I thought to myself, but, hey, he's with the company, or so I thought, he would know what the local customs and expectations are.

In the car, while heading to the hotel, I start thinking and re-doing the math in my head. I start to get a sinking feeling.

MK interrupts my thoughts. “How much of a tip did you give the porters?” she asked.

“About five buck each,” I said. “I gave five 1000 notes to each of them as the guy with the sign recommended.” 

We both looked at each other, mentally doing what should be simple math. We paused. We looked at each other again. Then the realization hit us.

"Oh shit," we both said in unison.

I had just given these porters not five dollars each, but $50 dollars each.  A total of $100! I immediately felt like throwing up. Tears started to well up in MK's eyes.

 

"Wait. What did you do?"

"I know, I know. I am ashamed"

“Do either of you speak English?” I anxiously asked our drivers. “Please pull over. I think I got ripped off back at the airport!”

Fortunately, they did know English and fully understood my explanation and miscalculation. They couldn't believe what I was telling them. 

"You did what!?" they asked, as if no one, not even a stupid American, would ever do such a thing. "We're turning around and going back to the airport. We'll find him and get your money back!" 

"I trusted him," I said, "I thought he was one of your employees."

“No, that is not the case." There are a lot of people masquerading as tour group employees at the airport, they told me. Instead, they are scoundrels looking to make a fast and easy buck (or in this case, a rupee).

 

Yes, I got screwed

Even the town monkeys felt sorry for me

We figured the likelihood that he was still around was very slim. He just pulled off a good fleecing of an American tourist. Why would he still be at the airport after such a heist, knowing we'd be coming back after figuring out what had happened. 

Sure enough, our drivers found him. He was exiting the airport. We pulled up next to him on the side of the road. He knew he had been caught. Without incident or him trying to run away, he approached our open window.

"Here sir. Here is you money." Through the window and into my open palm he placed my $100 worth of rupees. 

I was at first stunned that we now had our money back. I then turned angry.

“You should be ashamed that our very first impression of Nepal is of you and your scam to rip us off.”

We pulled away. Relief washed over us. We know that it was "only" $100, but to have this hang over us should we not have recovered the money would have cast a dark pall over the remainder of the trip.