Honduras Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams affecting tourists and residents in Honduras, with official reporting routes through the Policia Nacional.
Emergency number: 911 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Honduras sees a range of scams affecting both travellers and residents. Tourists visiting Roatan, Copan and Tegucigalpa encounter overcharging, fake tour operators and street-level fraud, while online scams including fake job ads, investment schemes and phishing are growing. The Policia Nacional de Honduras at policianacional.gob.hn and the emergency number 911 are the main reporting channels. Anonymous reports can be made through the 143 system.
Common scams
- Fake investment and crypto schemes promoted via social media
- Phone impersonation scams posing as police or tax officials
- Online marketplace fraud with no delivery
- Phishing messages impersonating banks
Tourist-specific scams
- Unlicensed taxi overcharging at airports and tourist sites
- Fake tour guide or boat-trip operators in Roatan
- Distraction theft at busy markets and bus stations
- Counterfeit or overpriced souvenir goods
Online shopping scams
- Fake online shops targeting buyers abroad via social media
- Delivery fee SMS scams impersonating courier services
- Phishing links sent via WhatsApp or email
Job scams
- Fake overseas job ads requiring advance payments or passport copies
- Task scams via messaging apps that escalate into deposit demands
Romance scams
- Dating-app relationships escalating to investment or wire-transfer requests
- Fake online partners seeking emergency funds
Investment scams
- Fake forex and crypto platforms promoted on social media
- Pig-butchering combining romance with fabricated trading portals
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately to freeze affected accounts or reverse transfers
- Call 911 or visit the nearest Policia Nacional station to file a report
- Use the anonymous reporting system by calling 143
- Preserve all screenshots, messages and payment receipts as evidence
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. Request an emergency hold on any fraudulent transfer. Obtain a police report number for formal bank disputes.
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
How do I report a scam anonymously in Honduras?
The Sistema de Denuncias Anonimas allows anonymous reporting by calling 143. Reports are handled by the Ministerio Publico, Policia Nacional and the Sistema Nacional de Emergencias 911, so callers are not required to identify themselves.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance