Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Kananga, Kasaï Central, Congo (Kinshasa)

All Topics about Kananga All Cities in Congo (Kinshasa)

1. Marche Central Scam Warning

Avoid fake guides offering help in Marche Central market, always agree on a price beforehand.

Price Manipulation: Prices of goods can be inflated by scammers.
Fake Guides: Unauthorized guides may lead you to overpriced stores.
Aggressive Salespeople: Some vendors can be overly aggressive in attempting to sell their goods.

Exchange money only at authorized exchange offices and avoid street vendors.

Inflated Rates: Street vendors may offer inflated exchange rates.
Counterfeit Money: Some street vendors might give you counterfeit currency.
Unfavorable Rates: Authorized exchange offices provide more favorable rates.

Negotiate a price before entering a taxi and avoid pre-paid taxi booths at the airport.

Overcharging: Taxis may overcharge tourists without prior agreement.
Unsafe Taxis: Pre-paid booths might provide unsafe vehicles.
Misleading Routes: Some taxi drivers may take longer routes to increase fares.

Book accommodation through reputable online platforms or reliable local travel agents.

Fraudulent Listings: Some listings on unverified websites may be fraudulent.
Overbooking: Local agents can help avoid overbooking issues.
Low-quality Accommodation: Online platforms may list low-quality accommodation as high-end.

Stick to reputable restaurants and avoid street food vendors with poor hygiene.

Unsanitary Conditions: Street food vendors may not maintain proper sanitation.
Diluted Drinks: Drinks could be diluted or tampered with to save costs.
Counterfeit Products: Scammers might sell counterfeit or low-quality products.

Purchase sim cards only from authorized retailers and avoid street vendors.

Stolen Sim Cards: Street vendors may sell stolen or cloned sim cards.
Incorrect Rates: Authorized retailers provide accurate information on rates and plans.
Activation Issues: Unauthorized vendors may have difficulty activating the sim card.

Bargain for fair prices and avoid shops offering very low starting prices.

Inflated Prices: Shops may inflate the prices of souvenirs.
Counterfeit Products: Some shops might sell counterfeit or low-quality items as originals.
Aggressive Salespeople: Salespeople can be overly aggressive in attempting to sell their goods.

Use ATMs inside banks or well-lit, busy areas and cover the keypad while entering your PIN.

Skimming Devices: ATMs may have skimming devices installed to steal card information.
Card Retention: ATMs might retain your card, potentially for duplicate transactions.
Surveillance Cameras: Well-lit areas can help deter potential thieves from watching your transactions.

Avoid participating in street lotteries or being approached by strangers offering winnings.

Fraudulent Winnings: Street lotteries may not be legitimate, and any 'winnings' are false.
Request for Personal Information: Strangers might ask for personal information to claim 'winnings'. Avoid sharing such information.
Scams Disguised as Charity: Scammers may disguise lotteries as charity events to gain trust.

Avoid buying gold from street vendors and verify the authenticity of jewelry at reputable stores.

Counterfeit Gold: Street vendors might sell counterfeit or low-quality gold.
Inflated Prices: Gold prices can be inflated by scammers.
Unfair Weighing: Some vendors may use unfair weighing methods to cheat customers.

Be wary of strangers who offer friendship and ask for financial help.

Financial Exploitation: Strangers might ask for financial assistance, intending to exploit you.
Identity Theft: They may attempt to steal your personal information for fraudulent purposes.
Invasion of Privacy: They might try to gain access to your private information or property.

Avoid purchasing snake venom or other wildlife products from street vendors.

Illegal Trade: The sale of wildlife products is illegal and contributes to species extinction.
Health Risks: Unregulated snake venom might pose health risks.
False Authenticity: Vendors may sell counterfeit or low-quality products, claiming they are authentic.

Never give your belongings or money to anyone claiming to be a police officer.

Impersonation: Some individuals may pose as police officers to commit crimes.
Extortion: They might demand money or personal belongings, under the guise of a fine or fee.
Violence: They may use force or threats to obtain your possessions or money.

Donate only to reputable charities and avoid solicitors on the street.

Fake Charities: Some organizations may claim to be charities, but are actually scams.
Fraudulent Donation Collection: Street solicitors might collect donations for fake causes or keep the money themselves.
Identity Theft: They may ask for personal information to claim donations, putting you at risk of identity theft.

Verify tour guides' credentials and agree on a price beforehand.

Overcharging: Tour guides may overcharge tourists without prior agreement.
Unauthorized Guides: Some guides may not have the necessary permits or credentials.
Misleading Information: Guides might provide inaccurate or biased information about local attractions.