Scam in MozambiqueTaxis
Taxi overcharging in Mozambique
How it works
Taxis have no meters, so the fare needs to be agreed before the journey. In Maputo, drivers often try to double city-centre fares early in the morning, when fewer taxis are available.
Warning signs
- The driver starts the journey without agreeing a fare.
- An early-morning quote is much higher than the usual city-centre fare.
- The driver asks for payment before arrival.
How to avoid it
- Agree the total fare before getting in.
- Ask your accommodation what a reasonable fare should be.
- Use a trusted driver recommended by your accommodation.
- Pay only when you reach your destination.
If it happens to you
Calmly repeat the agreed fare. If the situation becomes threatening, put your safety first and seek help once you are somewhere safe.
- 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.
Questions
What is the taxi overcharging scam in Mozambique?
Taxis have no meters, so the fare needs to be agreed before the journey. In Maputo, drivers often try to double city-centre fares early in the morning, when fewer taxis are available.
How can I spot it early?
The driver starts the journey without agreeing a fare. An early-morning quote is much higher than the usual city-centre fare. The driver asks for payment before arrival.
How do I avoid taxi overcharging in Mozambique?
Agree the total fare before getting in. Ask your accommodation what a reasonable fare should be. Use a trusted driver recommended by your accommodation. Pay only when you reach your destination.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Calmly repeat the agreed fare. If the situation becomes threatening, put your safety first and seek help once you are somewhere safe.
Where in Mozambique does this happen?
Unmetered taxis, especially early in the morning in Maputo. It has been reported in Maputo.
How much can it cost me?
The stated Maputo city-centre fare is 200 MT. Early-morning demands can rise to 400 MT. Longer journeys, such as to Junta, are listed at 400 MT or more.
How common is this scam in Mozambique?
Common. 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