Street Scams in Mahé, Seychelles
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Mahé — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Nairobi, Durban, and Livingstone.
Last updated: April 9, 2026
3
Street Scams Scams
10
Total in Mahé
How it works
Watersports operators along Beau Vallon beach on Mahé's northwest coast regularly quote one price to attract customers and then add undisclosed charges for equipment rental, fuel surcharges, or "guide fees" at the end of a jet ski ride, snorkeling trip, or diving session. Price boards are sometimes absent or only displayed in Seychellois Rupees while the operator collects in euros or dollars at a disadvantageous exchange rate. Disputes at the beach can turn confrontational.
How it works
The coco de mer palm nut is Seychelles' most iconic souvenir, legally harvested only in Praslin and La Digue and sold with a government-issued certificate. Street vendors on Mahé, particularly near Victoria Market and along Independence Avenue, sell small coco de mer items, carved shells, and "locally sourced" gemstones that are either fake, mass-produced imports, or coco de mer products without the mandatory export certificate — which means they will be confiscated at Seychelles customs on departure. "Seychellois garnet" sold by unlicensed vendors is frequently synthetic or sourced from outside the islands.
How it works
Individuals posing as collectors for local orphanages, wildlife conservation projects, or disaster relief funds approach tourists around the Victoria Clock Tower (known locally as Lorloz) and along Francis Rachel Street in the town center. They carry clipboards with donation sheets and sometimes show laminated ID cards that appear official but are not linked to any registered Seychellois charity. Cash collected is kept by the individual.
See all scams in Mahé
10 total warnings across all categories