Question 1

What is the "Advance Fee / "419" Friendship Scam" scam in Accra?

Accepted Answer

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. 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.

Question 2

What is the "Fake Charity for Street Children" scam in Accra?

Accepted Answer

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. Donate only to internationally verified charities. Ask for a registration number and verify it independently before donating.

Question 3

What is the "SIM Card Scam at Airport" scam in Accra?

Accepted Answer

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. Buy SIM cards only from official carrier stores (MTN, AirtelTigo, Vodafone Ghana) with your own ID documents.

Question 4

What is the "Gemstone Investment Fraud" scam in Accra?

Accepted Answer

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. Decline all unsolicited investment offers. Legitimate gemstone and gold trading requires proper licensing and professional verification.

Question 5

What is the "Kotoka Airport Customs "Phone Duty" Shakedown" scam in Accra?

Accepted Answer

At the final customs checkpoint before the arrivals exit in Kotoka International Airport's Terminal 3, officers sometimes claim arriving visitors owe a "phone tax" or import duty on personal phones, laptops and other electronics, and demand roughly GH¢500-1,000 per device in cash. Ghana charges no such fee on a traveller's personal-use devices; legitimate customs duty only applies to commercial quantities exceeding the personal concession and is always issued with an official receipt. Officers manufacture urgency by mentioning your waiting driver and pressing for quick, unreceipted cash. Refuse to pay any electronics "duty" on personal devices unless you are handed an official printed receipt showing the officer's name and badge, and ask to be escorted to the Aviation Police desk inside Terminal 3 or to speak with a supervisor. Genuine duty is documented and receipted, never demanded as loose cash at the checkpoint.

Question 6

What is the "Craft Market Overpricing and Pressure" scam in Accra?

Accepted Answer

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. Research approximate fair prices online before visiting markets. Start negotiations at 20–25% of the asking price and expect to settle around 40–50%.

Question 7

What is the "Craft Market Inflated Tourist Pricing" scam in Accra?

Accepted Answer

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. Expect prices quoted to tourists to be 5–10x what the seller will accept. Start negotiations at 10–15% of the asking price. Ask if items are handmade and by whom. Visiting the Aburi Craft Market provides better quality at fairer starting prices.

Other Tourist Scams in Accra

Advance Fee / "419" Friendship Scam

Fake Charity for Street Children

SIM Card Scam at Airport

Gemstone Investment Fraud

Kotoka Airport Customs "Phone Duty" Shakedown

Craft Market Overpricing and Pressure

Craft Market Inflated Tourist Pricing

Experienced a scam here?