This is a rather interesting thread. These are not really scams but better be safe than sorry
1. Travelling by shared auto, specially in Hyderabad's Hi-Tech area. They carry a total of 5 people - 3 in the back, 2 in the front. You will sometimes get an auto which will have only 1 seat at the back which is empty. As you approach the auto, one of the guys from back will get down so that you can sit in between.
The auto will start and then stop after 100 mts. The driver will ask the one of the front guy to try and stuff in at the back, because "police inspection". While there will be lot of play acting and shoving, the corner most of guy will be taking your mobile phone.
Sometimes there are variations of it where the corner most guy is so heavy that the whole stuffing routine is not required. Once you get down, pay the money and check your pockets, they will long gone.
This trick is normally pulled during the evening time when noting down numbers etc is difficult. After hearing about this incident, I used to keep one hand on my phone when travelling via shared autos.
2. This one is rather elaborate one, narrated by a friend and I am now narrating with some added color
My friend was approached by two guys on the street on scotty, they wanted to sell a new Iphone because "they were leaving town". The price they quoted was 20k. My friend got suspicious, so he tried to ignore them. They pursued him and showed a custom paid bill with stamp and all for the phone. They even gave him the phone to check out. It was completely new and functional. My friend still suspicious, wavered a little. So they took out a bundle of cash and showed it to him -- its not about the money they told; just want to get rid of it. So my friend wavered a bit more.
Trying to negotiate, he said I dont have 20k with me. They came down to 11k; nope not even that much, they said "ok, whatever is there in your bank account". So final deal was for 7k.
They all together walked to an ATM. My friend withdrew the cash and came out. One of the guys was sitting there on the scooter; while the other had approached with the phone in his hand. He took the cash and gave the phone to my friend who started admiring his purchase. Suddenly the first guy says oh! the charger is with the 2nd guy and takes the phone. My friend gets distracted by the 2nd guy calling him and giving him the charger. When he turns around to look at the phone, the first guy whips out a black polythene and drops in the phone. Then they both get on the scotty and sped off. My friend when checks the bag, it actually contains a cheap charger and the wodden dispaly model of the phone (which looks quite real at a distance).