Scam in Guinea-BissauAirport and border
Airport bribe requests in Guinea-Bissau
How it works
Various airport officials ask arriving travellers for bribes. A polite refusal is described as enough to stop further pressure.
Warning signs
- An official asks you for a bribe during airport procedures.
How to avoid it
- Politely decline the request.
- Keep your response calm and brief.
If it happens to you
Politely refuse. If the situation becomes threatening or you are detained, seek consular help.
- Get to a safe place. Do not chase, threaten or physically confront anyone.
- If cards, a phone or account details were stolen, block access as soon as possible. Contact your card issuer or bank.
- Save receipts, messages and booking details. Write down what happened, where it happened and any identifying details you safely noticed.
- Report the incident to local police when it is safe to do so. Ask for a written report or reference number.
- Contact your consular service if your passport was stolen, you were detained or you need emergency help. Contact your travel insurer about any claim.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
Questions
What is the airport bribe requests scam in Guinea-Bissau?
Various airport officials ask arriving travellers for bribes. A polite refusal is described as enough to stop further pressure.
How can I spot it early?
An official asks you for a bribe during airport procedures.
How do I avoid airport bribe requests in Guinea-Bissau?
Politely decline the request. Keep your response calm and brief.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Politely refuse. If the situation becomes threatening or you are detained, seek consular help.
Where in Guinea-Bissau does this happen?
Bissau-Bissalanca airport It has been reported in Bissau.
How common is this scam in Guinea-Bissau?
Very common. Airport officials may ask travellers for bribes, and corruption can also affect people who are arrested. Petty theft and violent crime are serious concerns, but there is little detail on specific tourist scams or how often they happen.
Who can I report it to?
Local police: report theft, threats or fraud when it is safe to do so. Ask for a written record. No police phone number or specialist tourist police contact is provided. Card issuer or bank: use the issuer's official app or verified contact number to block stolen cards and report unauthorised transactions. Your embassy or consular service: ask for help after passport theft, arrest or a serious incident. Many countries have no diplomatic presence in Guinea-Bissau, so help may need to come from abroad. US or UK embassy in Dakar, Senegal: the US and UK have no embassy in Guinea-Bissau. Their embassies in Dakar are accredited to the country. US liaison in Bissau: the listed contact is +245 325-6382, at Edifício SITEC, Rua José Carlos Schwarz 245, Bairro d’Ajuda. Travel insurer: report the loss promptly. Keep police records, receipts and evidence of any related expenses.
Reviewed by @snuck