Scam in ColombiaOn the street
Aggressive begging and demands for coins in Colombia
How it works
People follow visitors and repeatedly demand money. Some ask shoppers to buy food despite already having a full shopping cart. Outside tourist areas, groups of young people may surround visitors and demand coins.
Warning signs
- Someone follows you while repeatedly asking for money.
- A group surrounds you and demands coins.
- A request becomes intimidating rather than voluntary.
How to avoid it
- Decline politely and keep moving when safe.
- Avoid giving money in response to persistent harassment.
- Be especially careful in quiet areas at night.
If it happens to you
Stay calm and polite. If the situation becomes a threat of violence, put your safety ahead of keeping your money.
- Get to a safe, staffed place. If someone has a weapon or threatens violence, do not resist.
- If a card or phone was stolen, contact your card issuer and mobile provider promptly. Freeze affected cards and secure your accounts.
- Write down what happened while you remember it. Save receipts, booking details, vehicle information and relevant messages.
- Report the incident to police. For a taxi problem in Bogotá, call 123 and the taxi company.
- Contact your insurer and ask what evidence they need. Tell your card issuer about any disputed or forced transactions.
- If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate for replacement-document guidance.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/Bogota2023Beware of the Andino beggarsA visitor reports persistent beggars following them near Andino mall until they entered shops and cafés to avoid the approaches.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/Colombia2025What I Thought I Knew About Colombia Was Way Off – A Gringo’s First ImpressionCommenters describe unsolicited windshield cleaning followed by angry demands for coins and street sellers using implied threats to obtain money.Read on Reddit
Questions
What is the aggressive begging and demands for coins scam in Colombia?
People follow visitors and repeatedly demand money. Some ask shoppers to buy food despite already having a full shopping cart. Outside tourist areas, groups of young people may surround visitors and demand coins.
How can I spot it early?
Someone follows you while repeatedly asking for money. A group surrounds you and demands coins. A request becomes intimidating rather than voluntary.
How do I avoid aggressive begging and demands for coins in Colombia?
Decline politely and keep moving when safe. Avoid giving money in response to persistent harassment. Be especially careful in quiet areas at night.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Stay calm and polite. If the situation becomes a threat of violence, put your safety ahead of keeping your money.
Where in Colombia does this happen?
Getsemaní, supermarkets and areas outside the main tourist streets It has been reported in Cartagena.
How common is this scam in Colombia?
Common. Travellers can face taxi overcharging, pushy touts, dishonest money changers and theft in Colombia. Cartagena has several tourist-focused tricks, while Bogotá has warnings about pickpockets and taxi robberies. The risk varies by area and time of day, and some incidents involve threats or violence.
Are there similar scams in Colombia?
Yes: unasked-for help followed by a tip demand.
Who can I report it to?
Police: report theft, threats or fraud once you are safe. For a taxi problem in Bogotá, call 123. Ask how to obtain a record of your report. Taxi company: for a taxi complaint in Bogotá, also contact the company with which the taxi is registered. Provide the booking details and vehicle registration if available. Card issuer or bank: use the issuer's official app or contact number to freeze a stolen card and report disputed or forced withdrawals. Travel insurer: contact the insurer through its official claims channel. Keep receipts and any police report. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate if your passport is stolen or you need consular help. Mobile provider: report a stolen phone and ask the provider to block the SIM.
What number do I call in an emergency in Colombia?
Police: taxi problems and complaints in Bogotá: 123.
Reviewed by @snuck