Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Bamako, Mali

1. Taxi Broussa Scam

Avoid overpriced taxi journeys in Bamako's Taxi Broussa by negotiating the price beforehand and sticking to it.

Pricing Negotiation: Negotiate prices before starting your journey to avoid overpaying
Avoid Solicited Assistance: Decline any unsolicited help from strangers offering assistance with taxis
Know the Zone Prices: Familiarize yourself with the official zone prices to avoid being overcharged

Beware of gold scams by only purchasing from reputable jewelers and checking the purity of the gold.

Purchase Reputation: Only buy gold from established, reputable jewelers
Check Purity: Use a testing kit or ask for a certificate of purity when buying gold
Avoid Secluded Areas: Buy gold in well-lit, populated areas to reduce the risk of being scammed

Avoid currency exchange scams by exchanging money at banks or authorized exchange offices.

Exchange Location: Exchange money at banks, hotels, or authorized exchange offices
Check Exchange Rates: Verify the current exchange rate before exchanging your money
Be Wary of Street Vendors: Avoid street vendors for currency exchange to reduce the risk of being scammed

Avoid fake guides by booking through a reputable tour company or hotel.

Reputable Booking: Book guided tours through a reputable tour company or your hotel
Check Credentials: Ask for credentials and verify the guide's legitimacy before starting a tour
Avoid Unsolicited Offers: Decline unsolicited offers of guides in the streets to reduce the risk of being scammed

Avoid beggar scams by donating to reputable charities instead.

Donate to Charities: Donate to reputable, verified charities instead of giving directly to beggars
Avoid Isolated Areas: Be cautious when donating in isolated or poorly lit areas
Recognize Signs of Manipulation: Learn to recognize signs of manipulation or organized scams among beggars

Avoid sim card scams by purchasing from authorized vendors or your hotel.

Purchase Authorized Vendors: Buy sim cards only from authorized vendors, mobile operator stores, or your hotel
Check the SIM Card: Ensure the SIM card is functioning properly before leaving the store
Avoid Street Vendors: Avoid buying sim cards from street vendors to reduce the risk of being scammed

Avoid fake police scams by always carrying a copy of your passport and visa, and remaining cautious.

Carry Copies of Important Documents: Always carry photocopies of important documents such as passports and visas
Stay Aware of Your Surroundings: Remain aware of your surroundings and avoid isolated or poorly lit areas
Verify Identification: Ask to see the officer's identification and verify it before complying with any requests

Avoid ATM scams by using machines in well-lit, busy areas and covering the keypad when entering your PIN.

Use Well-lit, Busy Areas: Use ATMs in well-lit, busy areas to reduce the risk of being scammed
Cover the Keypad: Cover the keypad when entering your PIN to prevent others from seeing it
Check ATM for Skimming Devices: Inspect the ATM for any unusual devices or tampering before using it

Avoid overpriced souvenirs by shopping around and negotiating prices.

Shop Around: Visit multiple shops to compare prices before making a purchase
Negotiate Prices: Negotiate prices to get the best deal and avoid overpaying
Avoid Street Vendors: Purchase souvenirs from reputable shops to reduce the risk of being scammed

Avoid fraudulent Fesko payment scams by only using Fesko with a reputable merchant or service provider.

Use Fesko with Reputable Merchants: Only use Fesko for transactions with reputable merchants or service providers
Verify the Merchant's Identity: Always verify the identity of the merchant before making a transaction
Keep Receipts: Retain receipts as proof of your transactions to avoid disputes

Avoid fake accident scams by remaining cautious and not stopping to help in suspicious situations.

Remain Cautious: Exercise caution when encountering accidents or incidents on the road
Avoid Stopping in Suspicious Situations: Do not stop to help if the situation seems suspicious or staged
Report Scams to Authorities: Report any suspected scams to local authorities for further investigation

Avoid overpriced accommodation by researching prices online and negotiating with the hotel or hostel.

Research Prices Online: Compare accommodation prices online before making a reservation
Negotiate with the Hotel or Hostel: Negotiate the price directly with the hotel or hostel to get a better deal
Avoid Street Vendors: Book accommodation through reputable online travel agencies or hotels to reduce the risk of being scammed

Avoid counterfeit medicine scams by purchasing from reputable pharmacies and verifying the packaging.

Purchase from Reputable Pharmacies: Buy medication only from reputable, licensed pharmacies
Check the Packaging: Inspect the packaging for any signs of tampering or irregularities
Avoid Street Vendors: Do not purchase medication from street vendors to reduce the risk of being scammed

Avoid gold market scams by purchasing from reputable jewelers and verifying the purity of the gold.

Purchase Reputation: Only buy gold from established, reputable jewelers
Check Purity: Use a testing kit or ask for a certificate of purity when buying gold
Avoid Unfamiliar Markets: Buy gold in well-known, popular markets to reduce the risk of being scammed

Avoid internet café scams by using reputable cafés and protecting your personal information.

Use Reputable Internet Cafés: Only use well-established, reputable internet cafés
Protect Your Personal Information: Do not share your personal information or passwords on public computers
Use a VPN: Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your online activity