Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
1. Gold Market Scam Prevention
Learn to recognize overpriced or counterfeit gold in Bobo-Dioulasso's bustling gold markets. Always verify purity and price before purchasing.
- Knowledgeable Shopkeeper: Seek assistance from an experienced, trustworthy shopkeeper.
- Gold Testing Kits: Bring a gold testing kit to ensure authenticity and purity.
- Established Shops: Purchase from well-established, reputable shops in the city.
2. Taxi Scam Prevention
Be aware of taxi drivers who may attempt to overcharge or take an unfamiliar route. Use registered taxis and negotiate prices before starting your journey.
- Registered Taxis: Only use officially registered taxis with visible identification.
- Price Negotiation: Negotiate prices before getting into the taxi to avoid unexpected charges.
- Avoid Isolated Areas: Avoid traveling alone in isolated areas or at night if possible.
3. Counterfeit Money Prevention
Stay vigilant for counterfeit money circulating in Bobo-Dioulasso. Check banknotes for security features and exchange large amounts at a reputable location.
- Check Security Features: Familiarize yourself with the security features of Burkina Faso's banknotes.
- Exchange at Reputable Locations: Exchange money at reputable banks or exchange offices, and avoid private transactions.
- Cash with Small Denominations: Carry small denominations to minimize the risk of receiving counterfeit bills.
4. Marketplace Overpricing Scam Prevention
Learn to recognize overpriced goods in Bobo-Dioulasso's markets. Haggle prices and be aware of common scams like switching items.
- Experienced Marketgoers: Seek advice from experienced marketgoers or locals.
- Haggling Skills: Develop haggling skills to get a fair price for goods.
- Be Aware of Switching Scams: Always check the quality and quantity of goods before paying.
5. Fraudulent Guides & Tour Operators
Research tour operators and guides in Bobo-Dioulasso. Choose reputable companies and negotiate prices and services upfront.
- Reputable Companies: Choose tour operators with positive reviews and recommendations.
- Negotiating Upfront: Clearly outline your expectations, prices, and services before committing to a tour.
- Avoiding Isolated Areas: Avoid isolated areas or off-the-beaten-path tours without proper arrangements.
6. Begging Scams Prevention
Be cautious of individuals who may use begging as a pretext for theft or distraction in Bobo-Dioulasso. Keep personal belongings secure and be aware of your surroundings.
- Secure Personal Belongings: Keep your personal belongings secured and avoid displaying valuable items in public.
- Avoid Isolated Areas: Avoid isolated areas, especially at night or in poorly lit locations.
- Be Aware of Distraction Techniques: Stay vigilant for distraction techniques used by pickpockets and thieves.
7. Fake Police Scam Prevention
Be aware of fake police officers who may ask for bribes or demand personal belongings in Bobo-Dioulasso. Always carry a copy of your passport and travel documents and avoid isolated areas at night.
- Genuine Police Uniform: A genuine police officer will wear a uniform with appropriate insignia.
- Carry Copies of Travel Documents: Keep copies of your travel documents (passport, visas, etc.) and leave originals in a secure location.
- Avoid Isolated Areas at Night: Avoid traveling alone in isolated areas or poorly lit locations, especially at night.
8. Transportation Ticket Scam Prevention
Purchase transportation tickets from authorized vendors in Bobo-Dioulasso to avoid overpricing or ticket scams. Always verify the authenticity of your ticket before boarding.
- Authorized Vendors: Purchase tickets from authorized vendors, usually found near the entrance of transportation hubs.
- Ticket Authenticity Check: Always verify the authenticity of your ticket before boarding a vehicle.
- Avoid Private Transactions: Avoid private transactions or purchasing tickets from unauthorized vendors.
9. Currency Exchange Scam Prevention
Exchange money at reputable locations in Bobo-Dioulasso to avoid overpricing or receiving counterfeit bills. Always verify exchange rates and check for security features.
- Reputable Exchange Locations: Exchange money at reputable banks, exchange offices, or hotels.
- Verify Exchange Rates: Check exchange rates online before making transactions to avoid overpricing.
- Check Security Features: Always check the security features of banknotes and coins when exchanging currency.
10. Accommodation Scams Prevention
Research accommodation options in Bobo-Dioulasso to avoid overpricing or subpar accommodations. Book through reputable channels and verify the location before arrival.
- Reputable Channels: Book accommodation through reputable booking platforms or travel agents.
- Verification of Location: Verify the location of your accommodations before arrival and avoid isolated areas.
- Avoid Private Transactions: Avoid private transactions or accommodations arranged without proper documentation.
11. Street Food Scams Prevention
Be cautious of street food vendors who may use expired ingredients or poor hygiene practices in Bobo-Dioulasso. Choose well-attended stands with fresh ingredients and clean preparation areas.
- Well-Attended Stands: Choose vendors who have a steady stream of customers.
- Fresh Ingredients: Check for fresh ingredients and avoid vendors with expired goods.
- Clean Preparation Areas: Look for clean preparation areas and avoid vendors who do not follow proper food safety practices.
12. Bottled Water Scams Prevention
Be cautious of bottled water vendors who may sell expired or contaminated water in Bobo-Dioulasso. Purchase from reputable sources and check the seal before drinking.
- Reputable Sources: Purchase bottled water from reputable stores or restaurants.
- Check Seal Integrity: Always check the seal of the bottle before drinking to ensure it has not been tampered with.
- Avoid Private Transactions: Avoid purchasing bottled water from unauthorized vendors or private transactions.
13. ATM Scams Prevention
Be cautious of ATMs in Bobo-Dioulasso that may be tampered with or have skimming devices installed. Choose well-lit and secure locations and cover the keypad while entering your PIN.
- Well-Lit Locations: Choose ATMs that are located in well-lit areas with good visibility.
- Secure Locations: Avoid ATMs that are located near isolated areas or have signs of tampering.
- PIN Protection: Cover the keypad while entering your PIN to prevent potential skimming devices from capturing your information.
14. Internet Café Scams Prevention
Be cautious of internet cafés in Bobo-Dioulasso that may install keylogging software or have poor security measures. Use reputable cafes with secure connections and avoid logging into sensitive accounts.
- Reputable Cafés: Choose internet cafés that have positive reviews and recommendations.
- Secure Connections: Use cafes with secure connections and avoid accessing sensitive accounts while using unsecured networks.
- Avoid Private Transactions: Avoid performing private transactions, such as online banking or credit card transactions, on unsecured networks.
15. Tourist Scams Awareness
Stay informed about common tourist scams in Bobo-Dioulasso and be cautious of individuals who may attempt to take advantage of your unfamiliarity with the area. Trust local advice and use reputable resources for travel information.
- Local Advice: Seek advice from locals or trustworthy sources about potential scams.
- Reputable Resources: Use reputable resources for travel information and advice, such as travel guides, online forums, and embassy websites.
- Stay Informed: Remain aware of your surroundings and be cautious when interacting with strangers.