Money & ATM Scams in Dakar, Senegal
Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons. Below are the money & atm scams scams reported in Dakar — 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
2
Money & ATM Scams Scams
10
Total in Dakar
How it works
Card skimming devices are periodically installed on ATMs in the Plateau district, Dakar's central business and banking quarter. Thieves attach thin overlay skimmers to card slots and micro-cameras or false PIN pads to capture card data and PINs, cloning cards for use within hours. ATMs on side streets near the port and those inside small convenience shops are the most commonly targeted; machines inside established bank lobbies carry lower risk. Victims typically only discover the fraud when checking their account after returning home.
How it works
Street money changers and some informal exchange offices pass counterfeit West African CFA francs or short-change tourists by counting quickly and relying on unfamiliarity with local denominations.
See all scams in Dakar
10 total warnings across all categories