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Tanzania
23 scams
Many travel to Tanzania to enjoy some of the most beautiful safari reserves in the world, such as the Serengeti national park and the Mount Kilimanjaro national park.
Unfortunately, crime is an issue here, along with a number of tourist targeted scams around tours, shopping and transport.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency: 112
- Traffic Police in Dar es Salaam: +255 22 2111747
Travel resources
Fraudulent tour operators in Tanzania
7 2How 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%…
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Unofficial guides in Tanzania
6 0How it works: Opening: a friendly local offers to show you around or just starts to follow you and points out places of interest along the way. Set-up: even though…
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Snatch thefts in Tanzania
5 3How it works: Two versions: strike and run; distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Bike/moped: riding past with a pillion rider doing the snatch. Beach: stealing unattended bags/valuables from tourists who…
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Tanzanite imitations in Tanzania
5 0How it works: Tanzanite is only mined in Tanzania, and like gold, jewelry and other gemstones, you will probably come across imitations on the streets. Places to beware: Arusha What…
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Ferry ticket scams in Tanzania
5 1How it works: Version 1: touts push you to buy tickets for overcrowded ferries and boats at inflated prices. Version 2: fake night ferry tickets from Dar es Salaam to Stone…
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Mbeya Lilongwe fake bus scam in Tanzania
4 0How it works: There is a fake bus scam for those travelling out of Mbeya to Lilongwe in Malawi. At the main bus station in Mbeya, brochure flashing touts will…
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Express kidnappings in Tanzania
2 0How it works: Organized gangs working with unlicensed taxi drivers drive you to ATMs to withdraw cash. You may be held for more than a day if your account has…
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Unofficial luggage porter in Tanzania
2 0How it works: Version 1: at bus stations, unsolicited unofficial luggage porters will grab your luggage/bag, move it a short distance and then ask for an inflated tip. Version 2:…
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Credit card skimming in Tanzania
2 0How it works: Situation: the vast majority of tourists would probably not fall for this but on the off-chance that you do, you need to know how to spot the…
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Taxi scams in Tanzania
2 0How 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…
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Unlicensed taxis in Tanzania
1 0How it works: Version 1: offering a cheap fare first only to demand an inflated fare in the middle (while in a secluded place) or at the end of a…
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Drug set-up in Tanzania
1 0How it works: Street touts may offer you drugs such as Grass (known as Bhangi) or Miraa (Khat or Qat), a mild herbal stimulant from Kenya (legal there but illegal…
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Carjacking in Tanzania
1 0How it works: Opening: flagging you down, then robbing you or your car. Version 1: objects/debris placed in the middle of the road to get you to stop. Version 2:…
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Drink, food spiking in Tanzania
1 0How it works: You are offered drinks laced with drugs that will render you unconscious, and will then be robbed or sexually assaulted. Places to beware: Dar es Salaam What…
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Fake visa agents in Tanzania
1 0How it works: There are online and offline agents who offer to help you secure a visa extension or a volunteer visa. After you pay however, they disappear. Places to…
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