Money & ATM Scams in Cartagena, Colombia
Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons. Below are the money & atm scams scams reported in Cartagena — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Buenos Aires, Lima, and Cusco.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
2
Money & ATM Scams Scams
10
Total in Cartagena
How it works
Near Calle del Santísimo and around the Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Zenú) in the walled city, men approach tourists claiming to be licensed gem exporters or factory representatives offering Colombian emeralds at wholesale prices. The stones shown are low-grade, lab-created, or outright fakes priced at $50–300 USD. Once payment is made there is no recourse, as sellers disappear quickly into the narrow streets of the Old City.
How it works
Informal money changers operate along Avenida Venezuela near the Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower) and around the Mercado de Bazurto approaches, offering exchange rates slightly above the official bank rate to attract tourists. The shortchange happens through sleight of hand when counting out COP bills — the vendor folds notes or palms a portion of the stack before handing it over. Counterfeit 50,000 and 100,000 COP notes are also commonly passed in these transactions.
See all scams in Cartagena
10 total warnings across all categories