Scam in FijiShopping
Pushy market selling in Fiji
How it works
Some sellers pester visitors to make a purchase. Shopping in local markets can require firm refusals and bargaining.
Warning signs
- A seller keeps pressing after you decline.
- You feel rushed to agree to a price.
How to avoid it
- Compare prices before buying.
- Agree on the full price before paying.
- Give a clear refusal and walk away if needed.
- Use shops with set prices if bargaining feels uncomfortable.
If it happens to you
Stop the negotiation and leave if you feel pressured. You do not owe a purchase for browsing.
- Get somewhere safe. If threatened, do not fight over money or belongings.
- Seek medical help promptly if you are injured or have been assaulted.
- Block stolen cards and secure any accounts accessible from a stolen phone.
- Write down what happened. Keep receipts, messages, payment records and useful identifying details.
- Report the incident to police. Ask for a report reference or written record if available.
- Contact your insurer. If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate for help replacing it.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- TripadvisorFiji ForumDay trips from Intercontinental - Fiji Forum - TripadvisorForum contributors describe aggressive Nadi shopkeepers and tourists pressured to buy expensive souvenirs after accepting kava.Read on Tripadvisor
- TripadvisorNadi Message BoardNadi shopping scam - Nadi Message Board - TripadvisorTravellers describe being drawn into souvenir shops through friendly approaches and feeling obliged to purchase goods before leaving.Read on Tripadvisor
- News2024Association calls for urgent Police action after videos emerge of tourists getting hassled by swordsellersA handicraft vendors association sought police action after videos showed sword sellers harassing tourists and demanding as much as FJ$85.Read on News
Questions
What is the pushy market selling scam in Fiji?
Some sellers pester visitors to make a purchase. Shopping in local markets can require firm refusals and bargaining.
How can I spot it early?
A seller keeps pressing after you decline. You feel rushed to agree to a price.
How do I avoid pushy market selling in Fiji?
Compare prices before buying. Agree on the full price before paying. Give a clear refusal and walk away if needed. Use shops with set prices if bargaining feels uncomfortable.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Stop the negotiation and leave if you feel pressured. You do not owe a purchase for browsing.
Where in Fiji does this happen?
Traditional local markets. It has been reported in Nadi.
How common is this scam in Fiji?
Occasional. Tourist scams in Fiji include overpriced souvenirs, pushy sellers, misleading free offers and taxi fares that cost more than a metered ride. Pickpocketing and petty theft also occur, while more serious robbery is a concern after dark, especially in Suva and the outer suburbs of Suva and Nadi.
Are there similar scams in Fiji?
Yes: personal questions leading to overpriced souvenirs.
Who can I report it to?
Police in Nadi: there is a police station in the centre of Queens Road. Take any receipts, incident notes and identifying details you have. Local police elsewhere in Fiji: report theft, robbery, threats or assault to local police. Ask hotel staff to help you find a station if needed. Police responses can sometimes be limited. Village chief: if a small item has been taken as borrowing in a village, speak with the chief. They may help arrange its return. Card issuer or bank: use its official app or verified contact details to block stolen cards and report unauthorised payments. Travel insurer: use the claims or assistance contact in your policy. Keep receipts and any police report details. Your embassy or consulate: use its official contact details for help with a stolen passport or a serious incident.
Reviewed by @snuck