Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Yaoundé, Centre, Cameroon

Yaoundé, Cameroon, Yaoundé, Local Insights & Practical Info, Common Scams & How to Avoid Them

Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Yaoundé, Centre, Cameroon

1. Marché Central Scam

Avoid overpriced goods or fake items at the bustling Central Market by negotiating prices and checking quality before buying.
  • Negotiation Skills: Practice bartering to get a better deal
  • Quality Check: Examine items carefully before buying
  • Local Prices: Research typical prices for goods in Yaoundé's marketplaces

2. Taxi Scam

Avoid overcharging or being taken to unwanted destinations by using official taxis, agreeing on prices before starting the ride, and staying aware of your surroundings.
  • Official Taxis: Use only registered taxi services
  • Price Negotiation: Agree on a price before getting into the taxi
  • Stay Alert: Pay attention to your surroundings and keep personal belongings secure

3. Currency Exchange Scam

Avoid receiving less cash than expected or exchanging counterfeit money by choosing reputable exchange bureaus and verifying the authenticity of bills.
  • Reputable Bureau: Research trusted exchange services in Yaoundé
  • Counterfeit Detection: Learn how to identify fake currency before exchanging
  • Exchange Rates: Compare exchange rates between various bureaus in the city

4. Street Food Scam

Avoid food poisoning or overpriced meals by selecting busy and popular street food vendors, choosing cooked dishes, and washing your hands before eating.
  • Popular Vendors: Choose street food stalls with many customers
  • Cooked Food: Opt for dishes that are already cooked and served hot
  • Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands before eating street food

5. Tour Guide Scam

Avoid overpaying for tours or being taken to unwanted destinations by researching tour companies, reading reviews, and negotiating prices.
  • Reputable Tour Company: Choose a well-known and trusted tour operator
  • Read Reviews: Research customer feedback before booking a tour
  • Price Negotiation: Negotiate the price of the tour before committing

6. ATM Scam

Avoid card skimming or having your PIN stolen by using ATMs inside banks and covering the keypad when entering your PIN.
  • Bank ATMs: Use ATMs located within banks for added security
  • Cover Keypad: Protect your PIN by covering the keypad while entering it
  • Monitor Accounts: Regularly check your account transactions for any unusual activity

7. Sim Card Scam

Avoid overpaying for SIM cards or being sold a malfunctioning one by purchasing from authorized retailers and testing the card before leaving the store.
  • Authorized Retailer: Buy your SIM card from an official cellphone company store
  • Test the Card: Check that the SIM card functions properly before leaving the store
  • Comparing Prices: Research and compare prices of SIM cards in Yaoundé

8. Friendship Scam

Avoid being taken advantage of by friendly locals pretending to be your friend for financial gain by maintaining a healthy skepticism and avoiding sharing personal information.
  • Healthy Skepticism: Approach new acquaintances with caution
  • Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information with strangers
  • Trusted Contacts: Maintain contact with trusted friends and family back home

9. Hotel Scam

Avoid overpaying for hotel rooms or receiving lower quality accommodations by researching hotels, reading reviews, and comparing prices.
  • Reputable Hotel: Choose a well-known and trusted hotel in Yaoundé
  • Read Reviews: Research customer feedback before booking a room
  • Price Comparison: Compare prices of different hotels in the city

10. Internet Café Scam

Avoid identity theft or malware on your devices by using secure internet cafes and not saving passwords or sensitive information on public computers.
  • Secure Internet Cafe: Choose a busy, reputable internet cafe
  • No Saving Data: Avoid saving passwords or sensitive information on public computers
  • Use VPN: Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to secure your internet connection

11. Bar Scam

Avoid overpriced drinks or being drugged by choosing popular bars, verifying drink prices before ordering, and keeping an eye on your drink.
  • Popular Bars: Choose bars that are frequented by locals
  • Price Verification: Ask for drink prices before ordering
  • Stay Alert: Keep an eye on your drink and avoid leaving it unattended

12. Gold Scam

Avoid being sold fake gold or paying too much for authentic pieces by researching local jewelry stores and verifying the quality of the gold.
  • Reputable Jeweler: Choose a well-established, trusted jewelry store in Yaoundé
  • Gold Testing: Learn how to test the purity of gold before purchasing
  • Comparing Prices: Research and compare prices for gold jewelry in Yaoundé

13. Voodoo Scam

Avoid being scammed by charlatans who claim to perform authentic voodoo rituals or sell magical items for personal gain by researching legitimate practitioners and understanding the cultural significance of voodoo.
  • Legitimate Practitioner: Find a reputable, respected voodoo practitioner
  • Cultural Understanding: Learn about the cultural significance and history of voodoo in Cameroon
  • Protect Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information during rituals or consultations

14. Car Rental Scam

Avoid overpaying for car rentals or receiving damaged vehicles by researching rental companies, comparing prices, and inspecting the vehicle before driving away.
  • Reputable Car Rental Company: Choose a well-established, trusted car rental company in Yaoundé
  • Price Comparison: Compare prices of different car rentals in the city
  • Vehicle Inspection: Thoroughly inspect the rental vehicle before driving away

15. Bus Scam

Avoid being overcharged or directed to the wrong destination by using official buses, agreeing on prices before boarding, and staying alert during your journey.
  • Official Bus: Use only registered bus services
  • Price Negotiation: Agree on a price before boarding the bus
  • Stay Alert: Pay attention to your surroundings and keep personal belongings secure