Scam in MozambiqueTheft
Street mugging and robbery in Mozambique
How it works
A thief threatens or attacks a traveller to take money or belongings. There may be little warning before an approach becomes threatening.
Warning signs
- Someone threatens you or demands your belongings.
- Someone blocks your route or tries to force you into an isolated place.
How to avoid it
- Ask local hostels which areas to avoid.
- Keep valuables out of sight and carry limited cash.
- Avoid isolated places; women should not walk alone on beaches.
- Travel with someone else when an area feels unsafe.
If it happens to you
Do not physically resist an armed or threatening robber. Move to safety, get medical help if needed and contact your card issuer if cards were taken.
- Get somewhere safe. Do not chase a thief or physically resist a threatening robber.
- Check for injuries and seek medical help if needed.
- Freeze missing cards and tell your card issuer about any unauthorised payments.
- Save receipts, messages and booking details. Write down the time, place and what happened.
- Report the incident where safe. If visiting a police station, take someone with you and carry no valuables or excess cash.
- Contact your insurer. Contact your embassy if your passport is missing, you are detained or you need help dealing with officials.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Government adviceTravel advice and advisories for MozambiqueCanadian travel advice reports regular muggings and purse snatching, especially in Maputo, with travellers targeted at all hours.Read on Government advice
- Government adviceSafety and security - Mozambique travel advice - GOV.UKUK travel advice reports street crime involving knives and firearms in Maputo and other cities and tourist destinations.Read on Government advice
- Government advice2026Mozambique Travel Advice & Safety | SmartravellerAustralian travel advice reports mugging, bag snatching and armed robbery, including attacks on restaurants and cafes after dark.Read on Government advice
Questions
What is the street mugging and robbery scam in Mozambique?
A thief threatens or attacks a traveller to take money or belongings. There may be little warning before an approach becomes threatening.
How can I spot it early?
Someone threatens you or demands your belongings. Someone blocks your route or tries to force you into an isolated place.
How do I avoid street mugging and robbery in Mozambique?
Ask local hostels which areas to avoid. Keep valuables out of sight and carry limited cash. Avoid isolated places; women should not walk alone on beaches. Travel with someone else when an area feels unsafe.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Do not physically resist an armed or threatening robber. Move to safety, get medical help if needed and contact your card issuer if cards were taken.
Where in Mozambique does this happen?
Street robbery occurs in Mozambique. Tourist areas and isolated beaches also need care.
How common is this scam in Mozambique?
Occasional. Travellers generally face less hassle in Mozambique than in many nearby countries, but taxi overcharging, inflated asking prices and demands for money by police can occur. Theft risks include street robbery, theft at police stations and valuables going missing during airport security checks. Agree prices early, carry small notes and keep valuables in sight.
Who can I report it to?
Police: a police report may be needed for an insurance claim after theft. Go with someone else and avoid taking valuables or excess cash. Be aware of the risk of demands for money and theft at stations. Your embassy: contact your embassy for help with detention, a stolen passport or demands for money by officials. You can also mention contacting it to verify a claimed fine. Anti-corruption hotline: mention contacting the hotline to verify a claimed fine. No telephone number is provided. Card issuer: use your banking app or the issuer's official contact channel to freeze stolen cards, report unauthorised payments and ask about a dispute. Airport security supervisor: if belongings disappear during screening, report the loss promptly. Give the checkpoint, time and a description of the missing items. Ask for a written record. Travel insurer: contact the insurer through its official claims channel. Keep receipts, incident notes and any police report it requires.
Reviewed by @snuck