Lagos Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Nigeria)
Lagos tourists should be wary of advance fee fraud schemes, fake government officials demanding bribes, and overpriced taxi rides. Confidence scams targeting businesspeople are especially prevalent.
Other Scams scams are the most documented risk in Lagos — 5 of 10 reported incidents fall in this category. See all 5 →
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
Advance Fee (419) Fraud
Tourists and business visitors in Lagos are targeted with elaborate schemes promising large financial returns in exchange for upfront fees — for "government contracts," stranded inheritance, or business partnerships. Victims lose thousands before realizing it is a scam.
📍Online approaches targeting visitors planning Lagos trips, in-person solicitation in the hotels of Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki, and at the international arrivals area of Murtala Muhammed International Airport
How to avoid: Any unsolicited business proposal promising large returns in exchange for fees is a scam, regardless of how official it looks. Never transfer money to people you have not verified through independent channels. Contact your country's embassy in Nigeria for verification help.
This scam type is also documented in Nairobi and Johannesburg.
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High Risk
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Medium Risk
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Low Risk
Lagos · Nigeria · Sub-Saharan Africa
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Lagos
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Advance Fee (419) Fraud
Online approaches targeting visitors planning Lagos trips, in-person solicitation in the hotels of Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki, and at the international arrivals area of Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Advance Fee Business Fraud (419)
Upmarket hotel lobbies in Victoria Island and Ikoyi, through email and phone contacts targeting business travellers staying in Lagos, and street-level approaches near the Tafawa Balewa Square area in Lagos Island
Fake Government Official Bribe
At Murtala Muhammed International Airport particularly near the customs and immigration exits, in the business districts of Victoria Island and Ikoyi, and along major roads near the Tinubu Square area of Lagos Island
Airport Arrival Impersonation
International and domestic arrivals halls at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, particularly the waiting area outside arrivals gates and the car park approach road
Fake Gold and Gems Seller
Hotel lobbies and surroundings in Victoria Island and Lekki Phase 1, near the National Museum on Onikan, and informal approaches near the Lagos business district around Broad Street in Lagos Island
SIM Card and Phone Replacement Fraud
Street vendor stalls in Lagos Island Balogun Market, the Computer Village electronics hub in Ikeja, and informal phone repair shops around Broad Street in Lagos Island
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How it works
Tourists and business visitors in Lagos are targeted with elaborate schemes promising large financial returns in exchange for upfront fees — for "government contracts," stranded inheritance, or business partnerships. Victims lose thousands before realizing it is a scam.
How it works
Strangers contact or approach tourists with elaborate business opportunities — gold export, contract facilitation, government funds — requiring upfront payments. This is the original 419 advance fee fraud.
How it works
Men claiming to be NAFDAC, customs, or immigration officers approach tourists and businesspeople, claiming documents are irregular and demanding fines paid in cash to avoid arrest. The arrest threat is fabricated.
How it works
Individuals at Murtala Muhammed Airport pose as hotel or car service representatives, collecting luggage and passengers before demanding inflated fees or stranding them elsewhere.
How it works
Salesmen approach tourists in hotel areas offering to sell gold nuggets, diamonds, or oil contracts at below-market prices. The "gold" is invariably brass or painted metal.
How it works
Street vendors sell illegitimate SIM cards pre-registered in fraudulent names or offer to replace broken phone screens, cloning your SIM data in the process.
How it works
Unlicensed motorcycle taxis (okadas) and unmarked private cars operating as taxis in Lagos have been used to carry out express kidnappings, where victims are driven to ATMs and forced to withdraw cash. Incidents are most common at night in areas including Victoria Island and Surulere, and often follow a victim being followed from a bar or hotel lobby. Perpetrators sometimes pose as legitimate ride-hail drivers with spoofed apps or printed logos.
How it works
A well-dressed stranger approaches visitors near upscale hotels in Lagos — commonly around Ikoyi or Victoria Island — claiming to be a businessperson seeking foreign investment or trade contacts. After building rapport over drinks, they invite the victim to continue the meeting in a hotel room, where accomplices are waiting to rob or extort them. The scam exploits Lagos's reputation as a commercial hub and the victim's desire to network.
How it works
Police or military at road checkpoints may demand unofficial payments ("settlement") from tourist vehicles, particularly outside the central districts.
How it works
Unofficial tour operators sell sightseeing tours of new developments at prices 3–5× what proper licensed operators charge, sometimes providing unsafe or uninsured vehicles.
Lagos Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in Lagos?
Are taxis safe in Lagos?
Is Lagos safe at night for tourists?
Which areas of Lagos should tourists be most careful in?
How can I avoid being scammed in Lagos?
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Filter scams in Lagos by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Before visiting Mombasa, Accra, and Arusha, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Lagos are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →