Accra Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Ghana)
Accra tourists face overcharging at tourist markets, fake charity fundraisers, and airport taxi scams. The craft village at Aburi sees inflated prices for foreign visitors.
Other Scams scams are the most documented risk in Accra — 6 of 11 reported incidents fall in this category. See all 6 →
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
Advance Fee / "419" Friendship Scam
A friendly local or online contact builds a relationship then asks for money to help with a business opportunity, release of funds, or emergency. This classic advance fee fraud originates extensively from West Africa.
📍Around Accra central, Osu, and the Labadi Beach Hotel area; online contact may be initiated via social media or email before any in-person meeting
How to avoid: Never send money to anyone you have met recently, whether in person or online. Legitimate business opportunities do not require upfront payments from new acquaintances.
This scam type is also documented in Johannesburg and Nairobi.
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High Risk
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Medium Risk
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Low Risk
Accra · Ghana · Sub-Saharan Africa
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Accra
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Advance Fee / "419" Friendship Scam
Around Accra central, Osu, and the Labadi Beach Hotel area; online contact may be initiated via social media or email before any in-person meeting
Airport Taxi Overcharge
Outside the arrivals terminal at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, along the airport road, and at the unofficial taxi rank on Liberation Road
Gemstone Investment Fraud
Hotel lobbies and bars in the Airport Residential Area and Cantonments, around the Accra central business district, and at upscale restaurants along the Labadi beach strip
ATM Skimming and Card Cloning
Standalone ATMs on Ring Road Central and near Makola Market in central Accra; kiosk machines along Oxford Street in Osu; isolated ATMs outside convenience stores in Labone
Unofficial Money Changer Shortchange
Around the Osu Oxford Street commercial strip, near the Arts Centre craft market in central Accra, and at informal exchange points along High Street and Kwame Nkrumah Circle
Fake Charity for Street Children
Outside popular restaurants and tourist spots in Osu and Labone, near the Independence Square area, and around high-traffic intersections in Accra central
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How it works
A friendly local or online contact builds a relationship then asks for money to help with a business opportunity, release of funds, or emergency. This classic advance fee fraud originates extensively from West Africa.
How it works
Unofficial taxis waiting outside Kotoka International Airport charge tourists far above the standard fare. Some circle the terminal multiple times charging for each pass.
How it works
Smooth-talking salespeople approach tourists with a "limited opportunity" to invest in or export Ghanaian gold or diamonds at below-market prices, promising large profits. The gold is fake or the transaction never materialises.
How it works
Skimming devices are fitted to ATMs in busy commercial areas of Accra, capturing card data and PINs from unsuspecting tourists and locals alike. Machines in poorly lit or isolated spots — including some near Makola Market and along Ring Road — are most frequently targeted. Victims typically only discover the fraud days later when unauthorized withdrawals appear on statements. Card data is often sold on and used for overseas transactions, making recovery difficult.
How it works
Street-level money changers near high-tourist areas in Osu and the central market offer competitive rates but use sleight of hand to shortchange tourists when counting large amounts of cedis.
How it works
Individuals claiming to run orphanages or schools for street children collect cash donations from tourists. Many such organisations are not registered charities and the money does not reach children in need.
How it works
Vendors near the airport or in major streets sell SIM cards claiming to offer tourist data plans at special rates. The SIM may be pre-registered in someone else's name or fraudulently obtained, putting tourists at risk of identity issues.
How it works
In Accra's Osu neighbourhood and along Oxford Street, some restaurants targeting the expat and tourist crowd add discretionary charges to bills — cover fees, service levies, or inflated prices on vaguely described menu items. Menus may not display prices at all, and staff provide verbal quotes that do not match the final receipt. The informal enforcement of payment can feel coercive, particularly in venues with limited entry and exit points.
How it works
Unofficial "guides" position themselves at the entrance of Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and the National Museum on Barnes Road, approaching visitors before they reach the ticket booth. They offer to lead tours for a small fee agreed upfront, but dramatically inflate charges at the end of the visit, citing extra services, tips, and fabricated entry fees. Some work in teams where a partner at the exit blocks departure until payment is made.
How it works
At the Makola Market and craft stalls in Osu, vendors quote tourist prices that are 5–10× what locals pay, and haggling sessions can be extremely aggressive and wearing.
How it works
The craft market at the Arts Centre in Accra has a two-tier pricing system — locals and experienced bargainers pay 20–30% of the initial price asked from tourists. Items presented as "handmade" may be machine-produced.
Accra Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
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Filter scams in Accra by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Before visiting Arusha, Mombasa, and Addis Ababa, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Accra are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →