Scam in Central African RepublicFake officials
Belongings held for payment in Central African Republic
How it works
Police take an item, such as a passport, camera or watch, and demand money to return it.
Warning signs
- An officer takes and keeps a personal item.
- Money is demanded before the item will be returned.
How to avoid it
- Keep watches, cameras and other valuables out of sight.
- In Bangui, consider carrying a colour passport copy certified at the Hotel de Ville.
- Keep your original passport secure when it is not needed.
If it happens to you
Do not try to grab the item back. Stay calm and avoid escalating the situation. Once safe, contact your embassy if your passport has been kept.
- Get to safety. Do not chase a thief, resist an armed robber or argue with armed people.
- Check whether anyone is hurt. Seek medical help if needed.
- Freeze missing cards and contact your card issuer about any unauthorised payments.
- Write down what happened once safe. Save receipts, payment records and details of missing items.
- Report the incident to police when safe and practical. If police were involved, contact your embassy for advice.
- Contact your embassy about a missing passport and notify your travel insurer. Keep any report reference or written record.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
Questions
What is the belongings held for payment scam in Central African Republic?
Police take an item, such as a passport, camera or watch, and demand money to return it.
How can I spot it early?
An officer takes and keeps a personal item. Money is demanded before the item will be returned.
How do I avoid belongings held for payment in Central African Republic?
Keep watches, cameras and other valuables out of sight. In Bangui, consider carrying a colour passport copy certified at the Hotel de Ville. Keep your original passport secure when it is not needed.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Do not try to grab the item back. Stay calm and avoid escalating the situation. Once safe, contact your embassy if your passport has been kept.
Where in Central African Republic does this happen?
Police checkpoints across the country
How common is this scam in Central African Republic?
Common. Checkpoint bribery and armed road robberies are common risks in the Central African Republic. Police may hold belongings until money is paid, and pickpockets outside Bangui airport may pose as helpers. Violent crime is also common in Bangui, even during daylight, so the risks go well beyond tourist scams.
Are there similar scams in Central African Republic?
Yes: checkpoint bribe demands.
Who can I report it to?
Police: report theft or robbery when it is safe and practical. Ask for a written record or reference for insurance purposes. Airport security: if theft happens outside Bangui airport, seek help from airport security once you are safe. Your embassy or consulate: use its official contact details for help with a lost or confiscated passport, or advice after an incident involving police. Your card issuer: use your banking app or the issuer's official contact number to freeze cards and report unauthorised transactions. Your travel insurer: use the contact details in your policy. Keep payment records, evidence of loss and any police report.
Reviewed by @snuck