Money & ATM Scams in Maputo, Mozambique
Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons. Below are the money & atm scams scams reported in Maputo — 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 4, 2026
2
Money & ATM Scams Scams
8
Total in Maputo
How it works
Money changers in the baixa and near Mercado Central offer USD or South African rand exchange at rates that appear favorable but are below the interbank rate. Some changers short-change tourists by distracting them during the counting process or substituting smaller-denomination notes. Vendors in markets also quote prices in rand to South African tourists at an inflated exchange rate while accepting meticais from locals at a lower effective price.
How it works
ATM skimming devices have been reported at machines in Maputo's baixa district and at standalone ATMs near popular restaurants and hotels. The risk is elevated because ATM infrastructure in Mozambique is less frequently audited than in South Africa. Criminals also use the "helpful stranger" approach — positioning near an ATM and offering to assist tourists who appear unfamiliar with the interface, observing PINs in the process.
See all scams in Maputo
8 total warnings across all categories