Scam in BeninShopping
Pressure to buy crafts in Benin
How it works
The craft centre can be a tourist trap, with pressure to buy goods. Browsing does not mean you have agreed to purchase anything.
Warning signs
- A seller keeps pressing you to buy after you decline.
- You feel rushed into choosing or paying.
How to avoid it
- Decide your spending limit before browsing.
- Compare prices and bargain where appropriate.
- Decline clearly and leave if the pressure continues.
If it happens to you
Stop the discussion and leave calmly. If you already bought something, you can request a refund, but it may be refused.
- Get somewhere safe. Do not chase a thief or physically resist a robber.
- Contact the Gendarme (Police) immediately after a crime. Ask your hotel or a trusted local person for help.
- If a card or phone is missing, contact your card issuer or mobile provider promptly. Freeze affected cards and secure your accounts.
- Save receipts, booking details, messages and a short account of what happened. Record the time and place.
- Ask for a police report or reference number. Contact your insurer and, if your passport is missing or you need consular help, your embassy or consulate.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
Questions
What is the pressure to buy crafts scam in Benin?
The craft centre can be a tourist trap, with pressure to buy goods. Browsing does not mean you have agreed to purchase anything.
How can I spot it early?
A seller keeps pressing you to buy after you decline. You feel rushed into choosing or paying.
How do I avoid pressure to buy crafts in Benin?
Decide your spending limit before browsing. Compare prices and bargain where appropriate. Decline clearly and leave if the pressure continues.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Stop the discussion and leave calmly. If you already bought something, you can request a refund, but it may be refused.
Where in Benin does this happen?
Centre Artisanal on Boulevard St Michel. It has been reported in Cotonou.
How common is this scam in Benin?
Occasional. The main scam risks in Benin are inflated prices, taxi fare disputes, airport payment demands and pressure to buy goods or tours. Muggings and robberies also occur, with frequent attacks reported along beaches at night. A trusted local person or a guide recommended by your hotel can help you judge prices and avoid unsafe areas.
Are there similar scams in Benin?
Yes: inflated opening prices for foreign visitors, airport parking-lot SIM card overcharging, overpriced airport duty-free goods.
Who can I report it to?
Gendarme (Police): contact them immediately if you are a victim of crime. Ask your hotel or a trusted local person to help you reach them. Card issuer or bank: use your banking app or the issuer's official contact details to freeze a missing card and report unauthorised transactions. Ride-booking service: if a ride booked through an app leads to a fare dispute, use the booking record to report it through the service's support channel. Embassy or consulate: use your government's official contact details for help with a stolen passport or other consular needs. Travel insurer: contact the claims service and keep receipts, evidence and any police report.
Reviewed by @snuck