Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Luanda, Angola

1. Taxi Scams

Avoid overpriced or non-metered taxis. Always agree on price before starting the journey.

Price Negotiation: Negotiate prices before getting into a taxi to avoid overcharging.
Metered Taxis: Insist on using metered taxis for fair and transparent pricing.
Avoid Street Hails: Avoid hailing taxis from the street as they may overcharge or not use a meter.

Be cautious when receiving change. Check Angolan Kwanza notes for security features like watermarks and holograms.

Watermark Presence: Check for the presence of watermarks on Angolan Kwanza notes.
Hologram Verification: Look for holograms on Angolan Kwanza notes for authenticity.
Feel and Texture: Counterfeit notes may feel different from genuine ones; be aware of texture differences.

Buy sim cards only at official distributors or authorized retailers to avoid fraudulent activities.

Official Distributors: Purchase sim cards from official distributors for secure connections.
Authorized Retailers: Buy sim cards from authorized retailers to avoid scams and fraudulent activities.
Check SIM Activation: Confirm the activation of your SIM card before using it.

Research and book accommodation in advance to avoid being overcharged or offered poor quality.

Online Bookings: Book accommodation online for best prices and options.
Reputable Sources: Book from reputable sources like well-known travel websites or hotels directly.
Read Reviews: Read reviews to ensure you are getting a fair deal and good quality accommodation.

Avoid buying goods from street vendors or unauthorized shops. Opt for established retailers for authentic products.

Established Retailers: Purchase goods from established retailers for the assurance of product authenticity.
Check Quality: Inspect items carefully before purchasing to ensure they are genuine.
Price Comparison: Compare prices of similar goods to avoid overpaying for counterfeit items.

Book tours only through registered tour operators to ensure quality and safety.

Registered Tour Operators: Book tours with registered tour operators for a professional experience.
Quality Assurance: Ensure the tour operator has good reviews and is reputable.
Safety Measures: Check if the tour operator adheres to safety regulations and provides necessary equipment.

Research restaurants in advance to find affordable options with good quality food.

Online Research: Conduct online research on local restaurants for affordability and quality.
Avoid Tourist Areas: Avoid tourist areas as they often have overpriced menus.
Local Recommendations: Seek local recommendations for authentic and affordable restaurants.

Be cautious of police officers asking for bribes or demanding documents. If in doubt, contact the local embassy.

Embassy Contact Information: Carry contact information for your local embassy in case of emergencies.
Legitimate Identification: Police officers should be able to provide proper identification.
Don't Provide Personal Information: Avoid sharing personal information or documents without valid reason.

Use well-lit and busy ATMs to avoid skimming devices. Cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN.

Well-Lit and Busy ATMs: Use well-lit and busy ATMs to minimize skimming risks.
Cover Keypad: Cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN for added security.
Monitor Account Regularly: Regularly monitor your account for suspicious activity.

Avoid leaving personal belongings unattended on the beach. Be wary of offers for help or massages from strangers.

Keep Belongings Secure: Never leave your personal belongings unattended on the beach.
Be Wary of Offers: Be cautious about accepting help or services from strangers on the beach.
Report Suspicious Activity: Report any suspicious activity to beach staff or authorities.

Shop around for the best prices in markets. Be wary of vendors trying to overcharge tourists.

Only buy gold from reputable jewelers or jewelry stores to avoid fraudulent sales.

Reputable Jewelers: Purchase gold from reputable jewelers or jewelry stores.
Check for Quality: Inspect the quality of gold before purchasing.
Avoid Street Vendors: Avoid buying gold from street vendors to avoid scams.

Only donate to well-known and reputable charities. Be cautious of individuals claiming to collect for charity on the street.

Well-Known Charities: Donate only to well-known and reputable charities.
Check Credentials: Verify the credentials of collectors before donating.
Avoid Street Solicitations: Avoid donating to individuals soliciting on the street.

Use reputable money-changing services. Avoid street money changers to avoid being scammed.

Reputable Money Changers: Use reputable and licensed money-changing services.
Check Exchange Rates: Compare exchange rates at multiple money-changing services.
Avoid Street Money Changers: Avoid street money changers to avoid scams and fraudulent activities.

Use reputable internet cafes. Be cautious of unattended computers or slow internet connections.

Reputable Internet Cafes: Choose reputable and well-established internet cafes.
Secure Computers: Avoid using unattended computers for sensitive activities.
Check Internet Speed: Ensure the internet connection is fast and reliable.