Menu
Top scam stories in Africa
Drink spiking in South Africa
8 3How it works: South Africa has one of the highest reported cases of rape, and much of it is due to spiked drinks, with Rohypnol commonly used. Besides sexually assaults,…
Read more…
Taxi scams in South Africa
7 3How it works: Version 1: official taxis have meters but some may refuse to use it and charge you an inflated flat fare. Version 2: if the meter is used,…
Read more…
Taxi scams in Morocco
7 0How it works: Version 1: charging an inflated flat fare instead of using the meter. Version 2: claiming fare is for each person rather than per vehicle; jacking up initially…
Read more…
Cheap safari tours in Kenya
7 0How it works: Opening: you may encounter street touts or “beach boys” going by the title “Captain” offering you cheap safari tours. Scam 1: they play on the late entry…
Read more…
Students English practice scam in Morocco
6 0How it works: You may encounter students who approach you claiming to want to practice their English. Like the tea ceremony scam in China, if you agree, you will eventually…
Read more…
Invalid train ticket scam in Kenya
6 0How it works: Situation: there have been many cases of invalid train tickets sold, especially for connecting trains. Set-up: when tickets are handed to you, a valid ticket is usually…
Read more…
Unofficial guide and guard scams in Egypt
6 5How it works: Version 1: unofficial guides will ask to check your ticket, not return it and then proclaim themselves as your guide. You will be brought on a low…
Read more…
Merzouga romance scam in Morocco
6 1How it works: Situation: This is Morocco’s version of the bedouin romance scam in Jordan. Opening: Targeted at women, “call-boys” at Merzouga will pull out all the stops in wooing…
Read more…
Snatch thefts in South Africa
6 2How it works: Two versions: strike and run; distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Street, mall, shop, park, transportation hub: distracting and snatching from you, then escaping via a getaway car or…
Read more…
Fraudulent tour operators in Tanzania
6 0How it works: Situation: According to the Tanzania Revenue Authority, only 517 formal firm out of 1,401 tour companies complied with the law in 2018. This means there’s a 63%…
Read more…