Guyana Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Guyana's oil-driven investment boom has brought a surge in fake oil-and-gas investment schemes alongside long-running lottery, romance and land-deal fraud.
Emergency number: 911 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Guyana's rapid growth as an oil producer since major offshore discoveries has made it fertile ground for fake investment pitches referencing ExxonMobil contracts, local supplier deals, or oil-block 'shares' that do not exist. Lottery and sweepstakes scams targeting the Guyanese diaspora in the US, UK and Canada remain common, often claiming a relative has won money that requires a fee to release. Land and real estate fraud is also notable given rising property demand in Georgetown, where fraudulent title transfers and double-selling of plots have been reported.
Common scams
- Fake oil-and-gas investment or supplier-contract schemes referencing Guyana's offshore boom
- Lottery and sweepstakes scams targeting Guyanese abroad claiming a relative has won a prize
- Land title fraud involving forged documents or double-selling of the same plot
- Advance-fee remittance scams asking family in Guyana to pay 'customs' fees for a parcel
Tourist-specific scams
- Unlicensed taxi drivers at Cheddi Jagan International Airport quoting inflated fixed fares
- Overcharging for river and interior tours booked informally rather than through registered operators
- Currency exchange scams involving miscounted Guyanese dollars in busy Georgetown markets
Online shopping scams
- Facebook Marketplace scams for vehicles, electronics, or rental properties requiring deposits before viewing
- Phishing texts impersonating local banks or GTT/Digicel asking customers to 'verify' account details
- Fake customs or courier fee messages claiming a package is held pending payment
Job scams
- Fake oil-sector recruitment ads charging upfront fees for training or work permits
- Overseas job offers requiring payment for visa processing that never materializes
Romance scams
- Online partners, often claiming to work offshore or abroad, requesting money for emergencies or travel
- Long-distance relationships escalating to requests for cryptocurrency or gift card payments
Investment scams
- Unregistered oil-block or 'local content' investment shares sold to diaspora investors
- Ponzi-style forex and crypto trading groups promoted through WhatsApp and Facebook
How to report a scam here
- Stop all payments immediately and contact your bank to attempt to reverse or block the transaction
- File a report with the nearest Guyana Police Force station and obtain an occurrence book (OB) number
- Report investment fraud to the Guyana Securities Council if it involves securities or shares
- If scammed from abroad, also report to your home country's fraud reporting body (e.g. FTC, Action Fraud)
- Preserve all messages, receipts and screenshots as evidence for the police report
Local reporting & protection links
- Guyana Police Force
- Police emergency — Dial 911
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Call your bank's fraud line immediately and file a report at the nearest Guyana Police Force station; request an occurrence book (OB) number for any dispute claim.
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
Are oil investment offers from Guyana legitimate?
Be very cautious of unsolicited investment offers referencing Guyana's oil sector; verify any company against the Guyana Securities Council and never send funds for 'shares' pitched over social media.
How do I report a scam if I live abroad but the scammer targeted family in Guyana?
File a report with the Guyana Police Force where the money was received, and also report to your own country's fraud agency if you sent funds internationally.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance