Other Tourist Scams in Bogotá, Colombia
Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors. Below are the other scams scams reported in Bogotá — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Buenos Aires, Lima, and Medellín.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
3
Other Scams Scams
11
Total in Bogotá
How it works
Scopolamine, derived from the borrachero tree, is odorless and can be blown into a victim's face, applied to paper, or slipped into drinks. Victims lose free will, hand over valuables voluntarily, and have no memory of events. Reported near bars and clubs in Chapinero and La Candelaria.
How it works
Bogotá is the city most associated with scopolamine (burundanga) worldwide. The drug is administered in drinks, cigarettes, or occasionally blown in someone's face, causing complete amnesia and compliance. Victims are walked to ATMs.
How it works
Tourists receive phone calls claiming a family member has been kidnapped, with a person screaming in the background. The caller demands immediate wire transfers. The family member is actually fine and unaware.
See all scams in Bogotá
11 total warnings across all categories