Top 6 Popular Travel Scams to Avoid in Nigeria 2023

Filed in Articles by TMLTStaff on December 29, 2022

Scammers have a knack for tricking travellers, setting them up in the way of danger and robbing them of money or belongings. It might not be your fault to fall for one but it’s best to know the types of travel scams to avoid them and know what to do in such situations.

A satisfying trip can go down the moment a person becomes a victim of a scam. It is important to be prepared and be on the guard for the possibility of such situations.

Avoiding travel scams requires a lot of common sense and more dose of suspicion. Below, we have listed 6 popular travel scams to avoid in Nigeria.

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1. Study Abroad Scams

Lots of Nigerian students want to travel and study abroad. The application process for study abroad programs is demanding especially when it comes to paying the tuition fees.

Some scam artists, claiming to be travel agents are found hanging around embassies and sometimes, operating deceptive offices that offer students quick visa processing and cheap tuition fee.

A lot of students have fallen victim to these study abroad scams. So beware.

2. The Taxi Overcharge

This travel scam is one of the most common out there. In this case, the driver begins to frame up a story, either the driver will tell you the meter is broken and try to charge you a huge rate or you’ll see the meter go higher and faster than it’s supposed to.

To avoid this scam, you need to know how much a ride costs. Many tourism boards let you report bad taxi drivers, so be sure to always make good note of their ID number when you get in a taxi.

And also, never get in an unlicensed taxi.

3. Free Bracelets or Any Other Free Ornaments

In this scam, an individual will approach you in a friendly manner for a quick chat, and then offer you a bracelet or hat, or anything attractive.

Once you have it on, they will demand money. When you refuse, they will begin to cause a scene in the hopes you would rather give them some money than be embarrassed.

Never let anyone put anything on your body, or offer you any item and be extremely wary of accepting anything for free.

If they put something on you, simply take it off, give it back to them, and be secure about it. Then walk away and move on with your journey. They won’t go after you.

4. The Fake Petition

You’re at a popular sight and a woman or kid (often pretending to be deaf or a student) will try to get you to sign a petition.

You won’t seem to understand what they are saying, and to avoid being embarrassed, you sign the petition, hoping they will go away.

But the petitioner then demands a cash donation. Anyone who falls for this scam will lose some cash; at worst, they’re pick-pocketed while fighting with the petitioner.

To avoid this scam, just ignore people coming up to you to sign a petition, especially when they are in groups and try to surround you. Just keep on moving.

5. Injured Beggars

These are gangs of cheats who prey on people’s emotions and generosity. You see the beggars with fake injuries seeking help from strangers.

The most common today is that of a woman sitting with several babies that are likely not hers seeking support financially.

In other cases, the money these injured beggars make is collected by gang masters who serve as pimps.

Giving is a virtue and should be encouraged, it is better to give concrete service to these beggars like taking them to the hospital and paying the bills; referring or registering them at related NGOs or church programs or paying for their food rather than just giving them money to feed on.

6. The Slow Count

This is also a common travel scam in Nigeria. At first, you would not know this is a scam as the criminal usually seems to be honest and willing to perform the services that eventually get delayed in a bit to take advantage of the traveller.

It plays out so many ways, but the most popular is a cashier at a fast-food joint, bar or restaurant engaging you in a painfully slow process while calculating your purchase or counting your change.

That way you impatiently do not pay attention to details and leave without confirming the amount you have been given until you are already far gone.

The best way to avoid this scam is to use credit or debit cards, and carry smaller denominations of money around when travelling.

You can also try to be patient, ensuring you cross-check your purchase with your change before leaving.

To avoid travel scams, be cautious when it comes to people offering you something or help in a travel set.

CSN Team.

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