Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

Uyo, Nigeria, Uyo, Local Insights & Practical Info, Common Scams & How to Avoid Them

Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

1. Monday Market Scam

Beware of fake currency sellers at the bustling Monday Market. Always verify bills before purchase.
  • Counterfeit Currency: Be aware that counterfeit naira notes are common
  • Pressure Selling: Sellers may try to pressure you into buying quickly
  • Pickpocketing: Crowded areas like markets can be hotspots for pickpockets

2. Taxi Scam

Avoid overcharging or being directed to unwanted locations in taxis. Always agree on a fare before starting your journey.
  • Fare Manipulation: Some taxi drivers may try to charge more than the agreed price
  • Unwanted Destinations: Some drivers may take you to unintended locations to earn commissions
  • Safety Concerns: Ensure your safety by confirming the taxi is licensed and the driver is trustworthy

3. ATM Scam

Protect yourself from card skimming at ATMs. Cover the keypad while entering your PIN and check your account regularly.
  • Card Skimming: Criminals may attach devices to ATMs to copy your card data
  • Shoulder Surfing: Others may watch you enter your PIN for fraudulent purposes
  • Unfamiliar ATMs: Only use ATMs located in secure and well-lit areas, especially at night.

4. Currency Exchange Scam

Be cautious when exchanging money. Research reliable exchange locations beforehand.
  • Counterfeit Bills: Ensure the currency you receive is genuine
  • Unfavorable Rates: Some exchange locations may offer less favorable exchange rates
  • Pressure Exchange: Some exchangers may pressure you to hurry your transaction

5. Fake Tour Guide Scam

Beware of unlicensed tour guides. Always verify the guide's credentials and research beforehand.
  • Unauthorized Guides: Tour guides without proper licensing may not provide accurate information
  • Overcharging: Some guides may overcharge for their services
  • Safety Risks: Unlicensed tour guides may lead you to unsafe or unauthorized areas

6. Beggar Scam

Be cautious when giving money to beggars. Some may be part of organized scams.
  • Organized Beggars: Some begging activities are coordinated by criminal groups
  • Distraction Theft: Beggars may create a distraction to facilitate theft from bystanders
  • Charity Scams: Some scammers pose as charities and ask for donations, but keep the money for themselves.

7. Internet Café Scam

Protect your data from keyloggers in internet cafes. Avoid online banking and sensitive transactions.
  • Keylogging: Criminals may use keyloggers to record your keystrokes for fraudulent purposes
  • Unsecured Devices: Internet cafes may have outdated or unsecured computers with vulnerable software
  • Phishing Attempts: Scammers may try to trick you into revealing sensitive information through phishing emails.

8. Hotel Room Scam

Be cautious when checking into hotels. Ensure the hotel is reputable and verify your reservation.
  • Fake Reservations: Scammers may pretend to have a reservation for you, only to ask for extra payment
  • Room Tampering: Rooms may be tampered with or broken into to steal valuables
  • Overcharging: Some hotels may overcharge for services or rooms

9. Transportation Ticket Scam

Avoid buying tickets from unauthorized ticket vendors. Always verify the authenticity of your ticket.
  • Counterfeit Tickets: Scammers may sell fake transportation tickets
  • Overcharging: Unauthorized ticket vendors may overcharge for their services
  • Safety Risks: Using unlicensed or unofficial transportation can pose safety risks.

10. Mobile Phone Scam

Beware of sim card swapping and theft in crowded areas. Keep your phone close and secure.
  • Sim Card Swapping: Scammers may swap your sim card with a cloned one for fraudulent activities
  • Phone Theft: Crowded areas can attract pickpockets who steal phones and sim cards.
  • Unsecured Networks: Public Wi-Fi networks may not be secure, making your phone vulnerable to hacking.

11. Street Food Scam

Be cautious when consuming street food. Some vendors may use contaminated ingredients.
  • Contaminated Ingredients: Street food vendors may use unhygienic or contaminated ingredients
  • Food Poisoning: Eating contaminated food can lead to illness and discomfort
  • Mislabeled Food: Some vendors may mislabel food, serving less expensive or different items.

12. Bicycle Theft

Secure your bicycle when not in use to prevent theft. Use bike locks and park in secure areas.
  • Bike Theft: Bicycles are often targets for thieves, especially in busy areas
  • Loss of Valuables: Stolen bicycles may also carry personal belongings or valuables
  • Difficulty Replacement: Replacing a stolen bike can be difficult and time-consuming.

13. Cultural Item Scam

Beware of overpriced or fake cultural items sold by street vendors. Research the market prices beforehand.
  • Overpricing: Street vendors may charge inflated prices for cultural items
  • Counterfeit Items: Some cultural items sold may be fake or low-quality
  • Supporting Local Economy: Buying from local artisans supports the local economy more effectively.

14. Fraudulent Charities

Research charities before donating. Avoid giving money to street collectors without verifying their affiliation.
  • Unverified Charities: Some charities may not be legitimate, keeping the donations for themselves
  • Misused Funds: Donations may not reach those in need or be used for purposes other than intended.
  • Fraudulent Collectors: Some collectors may pose as charity representatives to solicit donations.

15. Overcharging in Restaurants

Check your bills carefully in restaurants. Be aware of common overcharges like service charges and hidden fees.
  • Service Charges: Some restaurants may add undisclosed service charges to your bill
  • Hidden Fees: Fees for items like bottled water or bread may be added without notice.
  • Misunderstood Menu Prices: Some dishes on the menu may have higher prices than expected.