Tourist Couple Duped by Fake Guide in Fatehpur Sikri

A couple visiting Fatehpur Sikri was deceived by a fraudulent guide who claimed that popular historical sites were in ruins. After paying him for a tour and additional fees for a prayer, they discovered the truth about the intact monuments. This incident highlights the risks tourists face and the need for vigilance when hiring guides. Local authorities have yet to receive a formal complaint but are prepared to take action if one is filed. Read on to learn more about this alarming situation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 24, 2026, 08:41 IST

Incident Overview

In a surprising turn of events, a couple visiting Fatehpur Sikri encountered a fraudulent guide who misled them about the historical sites. Initially, the couple did not recognize the guide's deceit and hired him for a tour.

The guide, posing as a legitimate tour guide, charged them ₹500 upfront and later extorted an additional ₹1100 under the pretense of offering a prayer at the shrine of Sheikh Salim Chishti.

When the woman requested to visit the Jodha Bai Palace, Panch Mahal, Anup Talaab, Rang Mahal, and Hiran Minar, the guide falsely claimed that these sites had collapsed. It was only upon leaving that the couple realized they had been scammed, leading to their frustration as they discovered that the palaces were intact and still open to visitors.

Rahul Singh, originally from Bihar and currently working at a bank in Bulandshahr, visited the site with his wife Preeti and their five-year-old child. They arranged for a guide near the Buland Darwaza at around 1:30 PM. The guide showed them the Buland Darwaza, Sheikh Salim Chishti's shrine, and the Badshahi Gate, but when Preeti expressed interest in the palace, the guide falsely claimed it was in ruins. He pressured them to pay for the prayer before fleeing with their money.

Upon inquiring about the supposed ruins from bus stand officials Ramgopal and Shiv Singh Mahura, the couple learned that the palace was fully preserved. Shocked by the deception, they returned to the monument. Fatehpur Sikri police and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stated that they had not received any formal complaint regarding the incident. Officials indicated that appropriate action would be taken if a complaint were filed.