Question 1

What is the "Fake Visa and Travel Document Service" scam in Algiers?

Accepted Answer

Fraudsters operating near Algiers city centre advertise unofficial visa extension and travel document processing services, collecting fees upfront and disappearing without delivering any service. Victims often only discover the fraud when arriving at official government offices. These operators target travellers who are confused by Algerian bureaucratic processes. Use only official government offices — the Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale (DGSN) on Rue du Cheikh Bachir Ibrahimi for immigration matters. Never pay for visa services through informal intermediaries.

Question 2

What is the "WhatsApp Apartment Rental Fraud" scam in Algiers?

Accepted Answer

Scammers post attractive short-term apartment listings on Facebook Marketplace and WhatsApp groups targeting tourists visiting Algiers. After collecting a deposit via mobile transfer, the contact becomes unreachable or the property turns out not to exist. Listings typically show photos stolen from legitimate rental sites and are priced slightly below market rate to entice victims. Book only through established platforms with verified reviews. Avoid any rental that requests bank transfer or mobile money before you have signed a contract and seen the property in person.

Online Scams in Algiers

Fake Visa and Travel Document Service

WhatsApp Apartment Rental Fraud

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