Scam in NigeriaTheft
Phone and wallet pickpocketing in Nigeria
How it works
Pickpockets take phones and wallets without the owner noticing.
Warning signs
- Your phone or wallet is visible in an open bag or an easy-to-reach pocket.
How to avoid it
- Keep your phone and wallet in a closed bag or secure pocket.
- Carry the bag in front of you in crowded places.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
If it happens to you
Move somewhere safe. Freeze stolen cards, secure your phone accounts and report the theft to the police.
- Get somewhere safe. If a robber is armed, stay calm, cooperate and do not chase them.
- Freeze any stolen or exposed cards. Contact your bank and dispute payments you did not approve.
- If your phone was stolen, use another device to lock it remotely and secure your email, banking and other important accounts.
- Save receipts, booking details, transaction records and a short account of what happened. Record vehicle details only if it is safe.
- Report the incident to the police and ask for a report reference or written record.
- Contact your embassy if you need help, especially after robbery or passport theft. Notify your insurer if you plan to claim.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Government advice2026Nigeria travel adviceCanadian authorities report frequent pickpocketing and purse snatching in crowded public markets and popular tourist sites, with crime increasing after dark.Read on Government advice
- News2022How we disguised as tricycle transporters to steal passengers’ phones — Ex-convictsPolice described suspects posing as commercial tricycle operators in Kano to pick passengers’ phones, including a victim who discovered his phone missing after being dropped off.Read on News
Questions
What is the phone and wallet pickpocketing scam in Nigeria?
Pickpockets take phones and wallets without the owner noticing.
How can I spot it early?
Your phone or wallet is visible in an open bag or an easy-to-reach pocket.
How do I avoid phone and wallet pickpocketing in Nigeria?
Keep your phone and wallet in a closed bag or secure pocket. Carry the bag in front of you in crowded places. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Move somewhere safe. Freeze stolen cards, secure your phone accounts and report the theft to the police.
Where in Nigeria does this happen?
Abuja; no specific locations are identified It has been reported in Abuja.
How common is this scam in Nigeria?
Occasional. Travellers in Nigeria should watch for money-changing tricks, card fraud and unsafe unofficial taxis. Street money changers may short-change you, while card cloning and hotel-payment fraud are also reported. Theft and armed robbery are serious concerns, particularly in Lagos.
Are there similar scams in Nigeria?
Yes: armed robbery, including attacks on night road journeys, car hijacking.
Who can I report it to?
Police: once safe, report robbery, theft or fraud. Provide the time, place, losses and any records. Ask for a report reference or written record. Card issuer or bank: use your banking app or a trusted contact number to freeze the card and report suspicious activity. Ask how to dispute unauthorised transactions. Your embassy: contact your embassy after a robbery or if your passport is stolen. In Abuja, embassy contact is specifically recommended after robbery. Hotel management or ride-booking provider: report an incident involving their service through reception or the booking app. Keep payment and booking records. Travel insurer: use the contact details in your policy. Ask which receipts, police records and other evidence are needed for a claim.
Reviewed by @snuck