Bahrain Scams: Online, Investment & Expat Fraud Guide
Common scams in Bahrain and how to report them to the NCSC, Police Media Center, and your bank.
Emergency number: 999 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Bahrain is a prosperous Gulf state with a large expatriate workforce and a highly connected digital population, making it a target for phishing, investment fraud, fake job offers, and online shopping scams. The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) at ncsc.gov.bh is the official body for reporting cyber incidents and provides public cybersecurity guidance. The Bahrain Police Media Center at policemc.gov.bh provides public safety information and the police emergency number is 999. The Ministry of Interior oversees law enforcement and can be contacted via interior.gov.bh. Acting quickly to contact your bank after any financial fraud is the most important first step.
Common scams
- Phishing and smishing impersonating Bahraini banks or government portals
- Fake investment and cryptocurrency platforms
- Fake job offers targeting expatriates
- Online shopping non-delivery
Tourist-specific scams
- Unofficial taxi overcharging at the airport and tourist sites
- Counterfeit goods in souk areas
- Fake cultural event and entertainment ticket resales
Online shopping scams
- Phishing targeting bank and government portal credentials
- Fake e-commerce sites and social media shop fraud
- Crypto and 'AI trading bot' investment scams
Job scams
- Fake job offers targeting overseas workers requiring upfront visa or relocation fees
- Task scams via messaging apps with escalating deposit demands
Romance scams
- Dating-app relationships escalating to cryptocurrency investment requests
- Social media romance with escalating requests for money transfers
Investment scams
- Unlicensed forex and crypto broker platforms
- Fake investment schemes impersonating regulated Bahraini financial institutions
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if money was transferred — use the official number on your card
- Report cyber incidents to the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) at ncsc.gov.bh
- Call the police emergency number 999 for urgent matters
- Preserve all digital evidence: screenshots, transaction records, email headers, chat logs
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately using the official number on your card or app. The Central Bank of Bahrain supervises licensed financial institutions; fraudulent investment platforms operating without a licence can be reported to the CBB.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
What is the NCSC in Bahrain?
The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) is the Kingdom of Bahrain's official authority for cybersecurity. It operates the National CSIRT for incident response and publishes guidance for individuals and businesses. Cyber incidents can be reported via the NCSC website at ncsc.gov.bh.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance