Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Baidoa, Somalia

1. Mandheere Market Scam Awareness

Stay alert at Mandheere Market to avoid pickpocketing and overpricing. Always bargain for goods and be mindful of crowded areas.

Avoid unofficial taxis and negotiate the fare before starting your journey. Always use a trusted taxi service.

Unofficial Taxis: Avoid using unlicensed or unofficial taxis.
Fare Negotiation: Negotiate the fare before starting your journey to avoid overcharging.
Trusted Taxi Service: Use a reputable and trusted taxi service for safe travel.

Exchange currency only at official exchange offices or banks to avoid receiving counterfeit money.

Official Exchange Offices: Always exchange currency at authorized and regulated exchange offices.
Banks: Exchange currency at banks as an alternative to exchange offices.
Counterfeit Money: Be cautious when receiving cash, especially in large denominations, to avoid counterfeit bills.

Always inspect goods before purchasing them and verify their authenticity. Be wary of shops offering deals that seem too good to be true.

Inspect Goods: Always check the quality and authenticity of goods before purchasing.
Too Good to Be True: Be cautious when presented with deals that seem excessively good.
Authenticity Verification: Verify the authenticity of goods, especially branded items.

Avoid booking accommodations in unlicensed hotels or guesthouses. Confirm the hotel's legitimacy before making a reservation.

Licensed Hotels: Only book accommodations at licensed and regulated hotels.
Guesthouses: Be cautious when booking at unlicensed guesthouses.
Reservation Verification: Verify the legitimacy of your reservation before finalizing any bookings.

Use ATMs in well-lit and crowded areas. Cover the keypad while entering your PIN to avoid skimming.

Well-Lit Areas: Use ATMs in well-lit and visible locations to reduce the risk of theft.
Crowded Areas: Avoid using isolated or poorly lit ATMs, especially at night.
Keypad Coverage: Cover the keypad while entering your PIN to protect against potential skimming devices.

Purchase official SIM cards from authorized retailers. Register the SIM card immediately after purchase.

Authorized Retailers: Always buy SIM cards from authorized retailers.
Immediate Registration: Register your SIM card as soon as you purchase it to prevent unauthorized use.
Avoid Sharing Information: Never share your phone number or personal information with strangers.

Only eat at reputable restaurants and avoid street food that appears to have been sitting for extended periods.

Reputable Restaurants: Choose well-known and trusted restaurants when dining.
Street Food: Avoid eating street food that has been sitting for a long time or looks unsanitary.
Proper Cooking: Ensure your food is cooked properly to avoid potential contamination.

Always book tours through trusted agencies. Confirm the guide's credentials before starting your tour.

Trusted Agencies: Book tours with reputable and reliable travel agencies.
Credentials Confirmation: Ask for proper identification and credentials from your tour guide.
Tour Itinerary: Ensure that the tour itinerary is what you agreed upon before starting the tour.

Always negotiate prices before receiving services. Be mindful of tourist-prices in popular attractions.

Negotiation: Always negotiate prices to ensure fair pricing.
Tourist-Prices: Be aware of potential tourist-prices in popular attractions.
Service Quality: Ensure that the quality of service is commensurate with the price being charged.

Only use authorized money transfer services. Confirm the recipient's details before sending any funds.

Authorized Services: Always use licensed and regulated money transfer services.
Recipient Details Verification: Verify the recipient's name, account number, and other relevant details before sending any funds.
Secure Transfers: Use secure channels to send money transfers, such as in-person transactions or trusted online services.

Avoid unofficial transportation services and always negotiate the fare before boarding. Use a reliable transportation service.

Unofficial Services: Avoid using unlicensed or unofficial transportation services.
Fare Negotiation: Always negotiate the fare before starting your journey to avoid overcharging.
Reliable Transportation Service: Use a reputable and trusted transportation service for safe travel.

Only donate to established charities with proven track records. Be cautious when approached by strangers asking for donations.

Established Charities: Donate only to well-known and reputable charities.
Track Record Verification: Verify the charity's track record before making a donation.
Stranger Approach Wariness: Be cautious when approached by strangers asking for donations.

Swim only in designated areas with lifeguards. Avoid swimming during rough weather or strong currents.

Designated Areas: Always swim in designated, well-guarded areas.
Weather Conditions: Avoid swimming during rough weather or strong currents.
Lifeguard Presence: Ensure that lifeguards are present in the area before swimming.

Purchase only from authorized beach vendors. Haggle for prices and be mindful of overpricing.

Authorized Vendors: Always purchase from authorized beach vendors.
Haggling: Always negotiate prices to ensure fair pricing.
Overpricing Wariness: Be cautious of overpricing, especially for popular items.