Scam in Ivory CoastTaxis
Airport taxi overcharging and false pickup fees in Ivory Coast
How it works
Airport drivers may quote a high fare, especially to visitors who speak little French. Some claim they must pay a fee to collect passengers and use this to justify the price. Taxi meters are rare and described as not working, so the fare needs to be settled before departure.
Warning signs
- The driver says a passenger pickup fee makes the ride expensive.
- The driver wants to leave before agreeing on a total price.
- The driver suggests relying on a meter without a clear fare agreement.
How to avoid it
- Agree on the total fare before getting into the taxi.
- Confirm that the agreed amount covers the whole journey.
- Compare another driver's quote if the price seems high.
- Do not accept a claimed pickup fee as a reason to skip bargaining.
If it happens to you
Calmly repeat the agreed fare. If the situation becomes threatening, move to a staffed public place and seek help. Keep the vehicle details if you can do so safely.
- Get somewhere safe. Leave any confrontation and do not chase a thief or resist an armed attacker.
- Check what is missing. If cards or a phone were stolen, block cards and secure affected accounts as soon as possible.
- Save useful evidence. Keep receipts, booking records and messages. Write down the time, location, vehicle details and what happened.
- Report the incident to the police. Ask for a report or reference number if one is available.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen, you were threatened or you need help dealing with local authorities.
- Contact your insurer and any relevant payment provider promptly. Explain what happened and ask what evidence they need.
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 taxi overcharging and false pickup fees scam in Ivory Coast?
Airport drivers may quote a high fare, especially to visitors who speak little French. Some claim they must pay a fee to collect passengers and use this to justify the price. Taxi meters are rare and described as not working, so the fare needs to be settled before departure.
How can I spot it early?
The driver says a passenger pickup fee makes the ride expensive. The driver wants to leave before agreeing on a total price. The driver suggests relying on a meter without a clear fare agreement.
How do I avoid airport taxi overcharging and false pickup fees in Ivory Coast?
Agree on the total fare before getting into the taxi. Confirm that the agreed amount covers the whole journey. Compare another driver's quote if the price seems high. Do not accept a claimed pickup fee as a reason to skip bargaining.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Calmly repeat the agreed fare. If the situation becomes threatening, move to a staffed public place and seek help. Keep the vehicle details if you can do so safely.
Where in Ivory Coast does this happen?
Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport and taxi journeys around Abidjan. It has been reported in Abidjan.
How much can it cost me?
Airport quotes are described as around CFA 5,000, even for a journey of 3 km. Bargaining may bring this to CFA 3,500 or CFA 2,500. These are quoted fares, not confirmed amounts lost to fraud.
How common is this scam in Ivory Coast?
Common. The main tourist risks described for Côte d'Ivoire are taxi overcharging, demands for bribes at checkpoints, pickpocketing and carjacking. Most specific warnings concern Abidjan, especially airport taxis, crowded transport areas and driving late at night. The airport itself has improved security and a better reputation than before.
Who can I report it to?
Police: report theft, threats, carjacking or fraud at a police station once you are safe. Bring any evidence and ask for a report or reference number. Your embassy or consulate: use its official contact details for help with a stolen passport, serious threats or concerns about an encounter with officials. Your bank or card issuer: use the official banking app or a verified contact number to block stolen cards and report unauthorised transactions. Travel insurer: contact the insurer through its official claims channel. Keep police paperwork, receipts and evidence of the loss.
Reviewed by @snuck