Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Couple Questions Passport Scans at Delhi Duty-Free Outlet
An Indian family living in the United States bought liquor at a duty-free shop in Delhi airport.
The mother said staff scanned the passports of everyone in the family.
This included her baby and toddler, who did not buy anything.
The family asked why all of their passports were needed.
Staff reportedly said the scans were for checking shopping offers.
The family worried that their personal information might be collected without permission.
They also wondered whether passenger names could be misused for other purchases.
Some social media users said they had experienced similar requests.
Delhi airport and Delhi Duty Free asked the family for more information to investigate.
A US-based Indian couple alleged that duty-free staff scanned the passports of their entire family at Delhi airport.
The couple said their nine-month-old baby and toddler were scanned despite not purchasing anything.
Staff reportedly said the scans were needed to check available offers, including a chocolate discount.
The husband questioned whether the practice involved unauthorized data collection or misuse of passengers’ identities.
Delhi airport and Delhi Duty Free asked the passenger to share details so they could investigate the incident.
- Who
- A US-based Indian couple, their two young children, Delhi airport, and Delhi Duty Free staff.
- What
- The couple alleged that duty-free employees scanned the passports of family members who made no purchases.
- When
- Shortly after the family arrived in Delhi from the United States; the complaint was shared on Instagram on Wednesday.
- Where
- A duty-free outlet in Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
- Why
- Staff reportedly said the scans were used to check shopping offers, while the family questioned whether the information was being collected or misused.
Family’s Concerns
Airport and Retailer Responses
Reason for passport scans
Family’s Concerns
The couple questioned why passports belonging to non-purchasing children were scanned and suggested the practice could involve unauthorized data collection or identity misuse.
Airport and Retailer Responses
Duty-free staff reportedly said the scans were needed to check available shopping offers.
Whether a scam occurred
Family’s Concerns
The husband asked whether a scam was taking place, including the possibility that purchases could be recorded under the names of people who bought nothing.
Airport and Retailer Responses
Delhi airport and Delhi Duty Free did not confirm a scam; they asked the passenger to provide contact, passport, or order details so the matter could be investigated.
Wider pattern of information requests
Family’s Concerns
Some social media users claimed they had faced similar requests for passport or other personal information at airports, on flights, or at airline desks.
Airport and Retailer Responses
The article reports no official confirmation that these other alleged incidents were connected to the Delhi duty-free complaint.
- Airport
- Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
- Terminal
- Terminal 3
- Complainant
- Pooja Tomarr Sikarwar
- Family members scanned
- The couple’s nine-month-old baby and toddler were allegedly scanned despite not buying anything.
- Staff explanation
- The passports were reportedly scanned to check available offers.
- Reported offer
- Buy one chocolate and receive 10% off a second chocolate.
- Official response
- Delhi airport and Delhi Duty Free requested additional details to investigate.