Scam in ColombiaTheft
Robbery on intercity bus routes in Colombia
How it works
Passengers can be robbed on some routes. The warnings advise daytime travel and avoiding areas of unrest.
Warning signs
- The route passes through an area of unrest.
- The journey involves travelling after dark.
How to avoid it
- Travel during the day.
- Avoid routes through areas of unrest.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash.
- Use established, certified transport companies.
If it happens to you
- Get to a safe, staffed place. If someone has a weapon or threatens violence, do not resist.
- If a card or phone was stolen, contact your card issuer and mobile provider promptly. Freeze affected cards and secure your accounts.
- Write down what happened while you remember it. Save receipts, booking details, vehicle information and relevant messages.
- Report the incident to police. For a taxi problem in Bogotá, call 123 and the taxi company.
- Contact your insurer and ask what evidence they need. Tell your card issuer about any disputed or forced transactions.
- If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate for replacement-document guidance.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/solotravel2023First lesson learnedA traveller reports that a night bus to Popayán was attacked with a rock that smashed a window, which they were told was an attempt to stop and rob the bus.Read on Reddit
- TripadvisorBogota ForumNight buses being stopped and rob? - Bogota Forum - TripadvisorA traveller planning an overnight journey reports hearing accounts from other people of intercity night buses being boarded and robbed.Read on Tripadvisor
- Travel blog7 Things You Need to Know Before Bus Travel in Colombia - The Partying TravelerThe blogger recounts arriving in Neiva after an eight-hour journey and learning that four or five bags had been stolen from the bus.Read on Travel blog
Questions
What is the robbery on intercity bus routes scam in Colombia?
Passengers can be robbed on some routes. The warnings advise daytime travel and avoiding areas of unrest.
How can I spot it early?
The route passes through an area of unrest. The journey involves travelling after dark.
How do I avoid robbery on intercity bus routes in Colombia?
Travel during the day. Avoid routes through areas of unrest. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Use established, certified transport companies.
Where in Colombia does this happen?
Some intercity bus routes
How common is this scam in Colombia?
Occasional. Travellers can face taxi overcharging, pushy touts, dishonest money changers and theft in Colombia. Cartagena has several tourist-focused tricks, while Bogotá has warnings about pickpockets and taxi robberies. The risk varies by area and time of day, and some incidents involve threats or violence.
Are there similar scams in Colombia?
Yes: pickpocketing, street mugging and robbery targeting visible valuables, being followed and robbed after an ATM withdrawal.
Who can I report it to?
Police: report theft, threats or fraud once you are safe. For a taxi problem in Bogotá, call 123. Ask how to obtain a record of your report. Taxi company: for a taxi complaint in Bogotá, also contact the company with which the taxi is registered. Provide the booking details and vehicle registration if available. Card issuer or bank: use the issuer's official app or contact number to freeze a stolen card and report disputed or forced withdrawals. Travel insurer: contact the insurer through its official claims channel. Keep receipts and any police report. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate if your passport is stolen or you need consular help. Mobile provider: report a stolen phone and ask the provider to block the SIM.
What number do I call in an emergency in Colombia?
Police: taxi problems and complaints in Bogotá: 123.
Reviewed by @snuck