Street Scams in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Addis Ababa — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Mombasa.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
3
Street Scams Scams
11
Total in Addis Ababa
How it works
A friendly stranger approaches tourists and invites them to a "gathering" — often framed as a cultural experience involving khat (a local leaf stimulant) or a guided walk around the city. After their "free" hospitality, they present a large bill for services rendered.
How it works
At Bole International Airport and along Churchill Avenue in the city center, individuals posing as "tourist police" or "official guides" approach arriving passengers and insist on escorting them to their hotel or a nearby attraction. They wear unofficial lanyards or plain clothes and speak authoritative English to appear legitimate. The "service" concludes with a demand for $20–50 USD, and refusal is met with threats of reporting the traveler to real authorities. This scam is especially effective on first-time arrivals who are disoriented after a long-haul flight.
How it works
Young men near Piazza and around the National Theatre approach tourists and offer a shoe-shine, sometimes applying polish without asking permission first. Once finished, they demand an exorbitant fee — typically 100–500 ETB for a service worth 20–30 ETB — and become aggressive or call over friends when the tourist tries to negotiate. In some cases, they deliberately damage shoes to extract more money for "repairs." The scam is so common along Ras Desta Damtew Avenue that locals actively warn new arrivals about it.
See all scams in Addis Ababa
11 total warnings across all categories