Street Scams in Maputo, Mozambique
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street 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
Street Scams Scams
8
Total in Maputo
How it works
Maputo's Mercado Central (also known as Mercado Janet) is the city's main food and craft market and a significant tourist attraction, but it is also one of the highest-risk areas for pickpocketing and distraction theft. Thieves work in pairs — one engages the tourist in conversation or asks for directions while another accesses bags or pockets. The crowded, narrow stall lanes make it easy to operate undetected.
How it works
Vendors near the Mercado Central and along the baixa sell mineral specimens — tourmaline, aquamarine, and garnet — claiming they are from Mozambique's gemstone deposits (which are genuine and internationally significant). Items sold to tourists are frequently synthetic or low-grade material, and prices reflect the implied value of genuine Mozambican stones rather than the actual quality. Export of uncut stones without documentation can also create legal complications at the border.
See all scams in Maputo
8 total warnings across all categories