Menu
Tanzania
22 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.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency: 112
- Traffic Police in Dar es Salaam: +255 22 2111747
Snatch thefts in Tanzania
5 1How 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…
Read more…
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…
Read more…
Fraudulent tour operators in Tanzania
5 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…
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…
Read more…
Unofficial guides in Tanzania
5 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…
Read more…
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…
Read more…
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…
Read more…
Express kidnappings in Tanzania
1 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…
Read more…
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…
Read more…
Shopping scams in Tanzania
1 0How it works: Version 1: product swap – where after paying, different/fewer items or items of inferior quality are wrapped up and given to you instead of the one you…
Read more…