| Scam Description |
Details
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| Tinder Date Scams |
Women may go on dates with tourists to set them up for further dangers like drugging, kidnapping, and extortion.
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| Pig Butchering Scam |
Women date foreign men for months, ultimately extracting significant sums of money from them.
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| Card Skimming |
Scammers use NFC scanners to capture credit card information while tourists are making purchases.
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| Bar Date Scam |
Girls will recruit gringos to go a bar where they work. Bars may advertise reasonable prices but switch orders to more expensive items when presenting the bill. If you offer the girls a drink the charge will be over the top.
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| Poor Grandma Scam |
Elderly women charm tourists into giving them money, particularly targeting those looking to impress others.
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| Wakanda Forver Scam |
Black tourists are often followed by local black children asking for money, using phrases like "Wakanda Forever" to elicit sympathy.
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| Not a Prostitute Scam |
A seemingly normal woman agrees to a date and then demands payment for sex afterward.
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| Counterfeit Goods Scam |
Street vendors sell fake electronics (e.g., GoPros, AirPods) that appear new but are actually low-quality fakes.
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| Government Services Scams |
Phishing sites may mimic official government services, charging fees for processes that are actually free.
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| Taxi Meter-Off Scam |
Real taxis may turn off the meter and demand a custom price. Unlicensed taxis may offer cheaper fares but overcharge or take longer routes, sometimes with accomplices posing as police.
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| Pickpocketing and Bag Snatching |
Common in crowded areas, pickpockets may work in pairs to distract and steal valuables. Covert pickpockets will steak without any interaction from you. Overt pickpockets will desensitize you to touch before robbing you.
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| Overcharging at Restaurants and Bars |
Some places inflate prices or add hidden charges to bills, particularly in tourist areas.
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| Street Performers and “Helpful” Locals |
Unsolicited help or performances may come with demands for payment afterward.
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| Fake Money Change |
Some scammers may pass counterfeit bills to tourists, especially in busy areas or shops.
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| Tourist Attraction Price Inflation |
Taxi drivers or vendors may falsely claim higher prices for attractions to push tourists into buying overpriced tours.
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| Drug Scams (Illegal Substances) |
In nightlife areas, individuals may offer drugs that could be dangerous or lead to robbery.
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| The "Lost" Wallet or ID Scam |
A scammer drops a wallet to engage you, potentially distracting you while they pickpocket you.
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| Fake Tour Guides |
Unofficial guides may offer overpriced tours without providing any real value.
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| "Help Me With My English" Scam |
A local engages you in conversation, ultimately asking for money for various reasons.
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| ATM Skimming |
Criminals may install devices on ATMs to capture card details, especially in tourist-heavy areas.
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| Fake Lottery or Prize Scam |
Scammers claim you’ve won a lottery and ask for money to claim your prize, which doesn't exist. These are disguised as legit businesses that operate out of booths in shopping malls.
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| Feed My Kids Scam |
Women may stand outside pharmacies asking for milk or diapers for their children, which they will later resell. Additionally, pharmacies may sell counterfeit medicine that has been tainted further up the supply chain.
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| Counterfeit Medicine Scam |
Pharmacies may knowingly or unknowlingly sell counterfeit medicine that has been tainted further up the supply chain.
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| Rental Deposit Scam |
Real estate companies may ask you for three to six months of deposit up-front with no intention of paying you back.
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