Scam in LiberiaOn the street
Persistent requests for money or gifts in Liberia
How it works
Someone asks for money or a gift and keeps asking until a visitor gives in. A request alone is not proof of fraud.
Warning signs
- The person keeps asking after you have tried to end the conversation.
- You feel pressured to give something just to leave.
How to avoid it
- Keep your reply polite and brief.
- Use a soft response such as "I'll see what I can do" to end the exchange.
- Keep walking toward a busy place if the pressure continues.
- Consider supporting a local school or NGO if you want to help.
If it happens to you
End the conversation calmly. If you feel threatened, move toward other people and ask for help.
- Get to a safe, busy place or your accommodation. Do not chase a thief or resist an armed attacker.
- Seek medical help if you are injured.
- Contact your card issuer to block stolen cards. Secure accounts linked to a stolen phone.
- Write down what happened, including the time, location, vehicle details and items lost. Save any receipts or messages.
- Report the incident to police and ask for a report or reference number.
- Contact your embassy if your passport is missing or you need assistance. Notify your insurer and keep copies of your records.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Travel blogLovin’ Liberia - Ramblin' RandyThe traveller describes requests for money, rice and soda, while noting that the approaches were not menacing or established as fraudulent.Read on Travel blog
- Travel blogLiberia — Rogue WanderersThe travellers abandoned a visit to Monrovia’s derelict hilltop hotel after being surrounded by would-be guides and people requesting money.Read on Travel blog
- Travel blogInto the Jungle: Sapo National Park and Liberia’s War-Torn Past | Venture The PlanetThe traveller describes an immigration officer making repeated aggressive payment demands by telephone that continued even after payment.Read on Travel blog
Questions
What is the persistent requests for money or gifts scam in Liberia?
Someone asks for money or a gift and keeps asking until a visitor gives in. A request alone is not proof of fraud.
How can I spot it early?
The person keeps asking after you have tried to end the conversation. You feel pressured to give something just to leave.
How do I avoid persistent requests for money or gifts in Liberia?
Keep your reply polite and brief. Use a soft response such as "I'll see what I can do" to end the exchange. Keep walking toward a busy place if the pressure continues. Consider supporting a local school or NGO if you want to help.
What should I do if it happens to me?
End the conversation calmly. If you feel threatened, move toward other people and ask for help.
How common is this scam in Liberia?
Common. The main concerns in Liberia are theft and robbery, especially in Monrovia, rather than elaborate tourist scams. Thieves may grab belongings through car windows, taxi robbery and pickpocketing have been reported, and requests for money or gifts can become persistent.
Who can I report it to?
Police: report theft or robbery once you are safe. Ask your accommodation to help you find a police station. Request a report or reference number. Card issuer or bank: use its official app or verified contact details to block stolen cards and report any unauthorised payments. Your embassy or consulate: use official contact details for help with a stolen passport or a serious incident. Consider informing your embassy of your stay. Travel insurer: use the contact details in your policy. Keep the police report, receipts and a list of missing items.
Reviewed by @snuck