Scam in BelarusFood and drink
Passport surrender and separate Wi-Fi charges in Belarus
How it works
Café Crezo is reported to take customers' passports when they want to use its Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi also carries a separate charge from the café bill. Passport misuse or a wider fraud scheme is not established.
Warning signs
- Staff ask to take your passport so you can use Wi-Fi.
- Wi-Fi has a separate charge that you have not checked.
How to avoid it
- Avoid using Wi-Fi that requires leaving your passport with café staff.
- Ask about Wi-Fi charges before connecting.
- Choose another place if the terms make you uncomfortable.
If it happens to you
Ask for your passport back immediately. If staff refuse to return it, seek police help. Contact your embassy or consulate if you cannot recover it.
- Get to a safe place. Leave any confrontation and seek medical help if you are injured.
- Stop further losses. Freeze affected cards, contact payment providers and secure any exposed accounts.
- Save evidence. Keep receipts, screenshots, messages, transaction records and the time and location.
- Report the incident to police. Ask for a report or reference number if available.
- Contact the relevant business, booking app or dating app through its official support channel.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is missing, you are detained or you need help finding local support. Notify your travel insurer if relevant.
Questions
What is the passport surrender and separate Wi-Fi charges scam in Belarus?
Café Crezo is reported to take customers' passports when they want to use its Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi also carries a separate charge from the café bill. Passport misuse or a wider fraud scheme is not established.
How can I spot it early?
Staff ask to take your passport so you can use Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi has a separate charge that you have not checked.
How do I avoid passport surrender and separate Wi-Fi charges in Belarus?
Avoid using Wi-Fi that requires leaving your passport with café staff. Ask about Wi-Fi charges before connecting. Choose another place if the terms make you uncomfortable.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Ask for your passport back immediately. If staff refuse to return it, seek police help. Contact your embassy or consulate if you cannot recover it.
Where in Belarus does this happen?
Café Crezo on Sovetskaya street It has been reported in Brest.
How common is this scam in Belarus?
Occasional. Street crime is rare in Belarus and usually does not affect tourists, but fraud at ATMs and grocery stores is described as common. Other concerns include online fraud, inflated taxi fares at Minsk arrival points, and reports of people being targeted through dating apps. Scam risk is only part of travel safety: arbitrary law enforcement and possible civil unrest also need careful attention.
Who can I report it to?
Police: report fraud, theft, threats or assault to police. In downtown Minsk, police are described as having a strong presence. Keep evidence and ask for a report reference if available. Card issuer or payment provider: use the official app or a verified contact number to report suspicious transactions, freeze a card and ask about recovery options. Taxi booking app: for an app-booked ride, use the trip's support option. Include the quoted fare, amount charged, trip details and receipt. Shop or café management: ask management to review a disputed charge or return a retained passport. Keep receipts and payment records. Dating app: report the account through the app. Save the profile and messages before blocking it, if safe. Embassy or consulate: use your government's official contact details if your passport is lost or retained, you are detained or you need consular support. Travel insurer: contact the insurer through its official claims channel. Keep police records, receipts and evidence of losses.
Reviewed by @snuck