Scam in Central African RepublicFake officials
Checkpoint bribe demands in Central African Republic
How it works
Police at checkpoints demand money. Repeated demands can add up to hundreds of US dollars or euros on the journey from the Cameroon border to Bangui.
Warning signs
- Police stop your vehicle at a checkpoint and demand money.
How to avoid it
- Plan road journeys with an experienced guide.
- Discuss checkpoints and route security before leaving.
- Keep most cash out of sight.
If it happens to you
Stay calm. Avoid confrontation, especially around weapons. Put your safety first and record details only once you are somewhere safe.
- 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.
- Government adviceSafety and security - Central African Republic travel advice - GOV.UKThe FCDO warns that armed personnel at official and illegal roadblocks may demand bribes from travellers.Read on Government advice
- Government advice2026Central African Republic travel adviceCanadian travel advice reports that security forces regularly extort drivers at nighttime police and military roadblocks in Bangui.Read on Government advice
- Travel blog2018The Central African Republic, part 1 — Daniel HoopsA visitor described using a local fixer to navigate unofficial payments and bribe demands at airports and checkpoints.Read on Travel blog
Questions
What is the checkpoint bribe demands scam in Central African Republic?
Police at checkpoints demand money. Repeated demands can add up to hundreds of US dollars or euros on the journey from the Cameroon border to Bangui.
How can I spot it early?
Police stop your vehicle at a checkpoint and demand money.
How do I avoid checkpoint bribe demands in Central African Republic?
Plan road journeys with an experienced guide. Discuss checkpoints and route security before leaving. Keep most cash out of sight.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Stay calm. Avoid confrontation, especially around weapons. Put your safety first and record details only once you are somewhere safe.
Where in Central African Republic does this happen?
Police checkpoints across the country, including the route from the Cameroon border to Bangui
How much can it cost me?
At least US$5 per demand; reported totals of hundreds of US dollars or euros between the Cameroon border and Bangui.
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: belongings held for payment.
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