Scam in Guinea-BissauTheft
Petty theft in Guinea-Bissau
How it works
Petty crime is a serious country-wide concern. No specific theft technique or pattern of targeting tourists is described.
Warning signs
- Someone tries to open, move or take your belongings without permission.
How to avoid it
- Keep your bag closed and close to your body.
- Keep your phone, cash and valuables out of easy reach.
- Carry only the cash and valuables you need that day.
If it happens to you
Move somewhere safe. Do not chase or confront the thief. Block stolen cards and report the loss.
- Get to a safe place. Do not chase, threaten or physically confront anyone.
- If cards, a phone or account details were stolen, block access as soon as possible. Contact your card issuer or bank.
- Save receipts, messages and booking details. Write down what happened, where it happened and any identifying details you safely noticed.
- Report the incident to local police when it is safe to do so. Ask for a written report or reference number.
- Contact your consular service if your passport was stolen, you were detained or you need emergency help. Contact your travel insurer about any claim.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Government advice2026Guinea-Bissau travel adviceCanadian travel advice reports that pickpocketing and other petty crime are common at the airport, markets and public gatherings.Read on Government advice
- Government adviceSafety and security - Guinea-Bissau travel advice - GOV.UKBritish travel advice describes pickpocketing and bag and phone snatching as relatively common in Bissau.Read on Government advice
Questions
What is the petty theft scam in Guinea-Bissau?
Petty crime is a serious country-wide concern. No specific theft technique or pattern of targeting tourists is described.
How can I spot it early?
Someone tries to open, move or take your belongings without permission.
How do I avoid petty theft in Guinea-Bissau?
Keep your bag closed and close to your body. Keep your phone, cash and valuables out of easy reach. Carry only the cash and valuables you need that day.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Move somewhere safe. Do not chase or confront the thief. Block stolen cards and report the loss.
How common is this scam in Guinea-Bissau?
Common. Airport officials may ask travellers for bribes, and corruption can also affect people who are arrested. Petty theft and violent crime are serious concerns, but there is little detail on specific tourist scams or how often they happen.
Who can I report it to?
Local police: report theft, threats or fraud when it is safe to do so. Ask for a written record. No police phone number or specialist tourist police contact is provided. Card issuer or bank: use the issuer's official app or verified contact number to block stolen cards and report unauthorised transactions. Your embassy or consular service: ask for help after passport theft, arrest or a serious incident. Many countries have no diplomatic presence in Guinea-Bissau, so help may need to come from abroad. US or UK embassy in Dakar, Senegal: the US and UK have no embassy in Guinea-Bissau. Their embassies in Dakar are accredited to the country. US liaison in Bissau: the listed contact is +245 325-6382, at Edifício SITEC, Rua José Carlos Schwarz 245, Bairro d’Ajuda. Travel insurer: report the loss promptly. Keep police records, receipts and evidence of any related expenses.
Reviewed by @snuck