How it works: There are many unlicensed taxis (usually as Toyota Vitz and Honda Fit) which drive recklessly and do not have insurance coverage. Further, you can be overcharged or…

Currency switcheroo in South Africa

3 1

How it works: When you pay, the cashier drops the cash received and then switch it with a smaller value note while picking them up. They then claim that you…

Camel/horse ride scams in Morocco

3 1

How it works: Version 1: rogue operators promise you a low fare at the start to lure you in, only to ask for additional payment in the middle of trip…

Victoria Falls scams in Zambia

2 0

How it works: Version 1 (unofficial guide): there are many unofficial guides around who will offer to bring you around for inflated sums (e.g. USD 80). Version 2 (taxi): taxis…

Phone tout scam in Tanzania

2 1

How it works: A tout claiming to be a shop owner canvassing for customers on the streets offers you a phone at a discounted price claiming that business is slow….

Free bracelet scam in Morocco

2 0

How it works: Opening: a tout offers you a free bracelet. If you accept, he ties it around your wrist, and takes another bracelet out. Set-up: he then claims that…

Fraudulent tour operators in Mauritius

2 1

How it works: Case 1: Pom & Jerry tour operator by Steve and Roobina (have been jailed for this before). On the day of a tour (e.g. to an island),…

Taxi scams in Egypt

2 6

How it works: Version 1: white taxis are fitted with meters but some will refuse to use them and charge you an inflated flat fare – likely to face this…

Fake carpets, ceramics, Argan oil, fossils, leather in Morocco

2 0

How it works: Version 1: items popular with tourists (e.g. carpets, ceramics, Argan oil) sold at major touristy markets are generally fake. Fake claims such as this carpet is 50 years…

Pickpockets in Rwanda

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How it works: Overview: besides certain hotspots/no-go zones (e.g. borders with DRC), Rwanda is actually one of the safest countries in Africa. That said, no crime does not mean no…

Visa scam in Zambia

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How it works: A trick played by rogue immigration officials is to write the expiry date of your visa as a few days earlier than your actual departure date. Next,…

Shortchanging in Zimbabwe

2 0

How it works: At the Zimbabwe-Zambia border, there have been cases where customs officers claim not to have change when you pay for your visa to enter Zimbabwe – e.g….

Tour operator scams in Rwanda

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How it works: Most tour operators in Rwanda are fine and this is not a big issue, though there have been sporadic scam cases so it pays to be careful….

Corrupt police in Zambia

2 1

How it works: You may encounter this as long as you are on the road, regardless if you are being driven on a bus/cab or driving your own car. Note…

Taxi scams in Tanzania

2 0

How it works: Taxis here do not use meters, hence, they can overcharge you with inflated flat fares. Places to beware: Dar es Salaam Zanzibar What to do: Avoid: taxis…

Africa

190 scams

Top travel scams in Africa

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