In her Instagram posts, Maheshwari detailed her arrival at the Kazakhstan airport around midnight, where she and her travel companion were faced with an empty terminal and no access to a local SIM card. Stranded, they accepted an offer from a taxi driver, who initially quoted a fare of 1,000 Tenge (about ₹170).
Upon entering the vehicle, Maheshwari noticed a second passenger and a child locked in the backseat but dismissed these as standard practices in Kazakhstan. The situation soon took a turn for the worse. When they arrived at their destination, the driver demanded a staggering 77,000 Tenge (roughly ₹13,000), a far cry from the initial estimate.
Maheshwari reported that the driver became aggressive when they refused to pay the inflated amount. After a tense negotiation, they settled on a payment of 30,000 Tenge (around ₹5,500), a significant increase from the original quote.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Maheshwari noted, “I was aware of meter scams, but I never imagined it could escalate into something potentially dangerous. This experience was a wake-up call, and I’m sharing it because I want others to make wiser choices.” Her videos quickly gained traction online, with many viewers offering their advice and sharing similar experiences. One user recommended arranging a local contact before travelling, while another remarked on the prevalence of such scams targeting tourists.
Maheshwari’s unsettling encounter highlights the need for vigilance and preparation when travelling to unfamiliar places. She advises future travellers to be cautious and conduct thorough research to avoid falling victim to similar scams.