Iran Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Sanctions and currency instability in Iran have driven widespread forex and crypto investment fraud, alongside carpet and bazaar overcharging aimed at tourists.
Emergency number: 110 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Iran's international sanctions and severe rial devaluation have made currency exchange and cryptocurrency schemes a magnet for fraud, as ordinary Iranians seek ways to preserve savings and scammers exploit that anxiety with fake high-yield forex and crypto trading platforms. Because Western payment rails and card networks are largely unavailable, visitors and businesses face unusual payment-related risks, including unofficial money changers offering rates that later prove fraudulent. Tourists visiting historic sites in Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran's bazaars commonly encounter carpet and handicraft sellers who inflate prices steeply for foreign buyers, alongside unofficial taxi overcharging.
Common scams
- Unlicensed money changers offering favorable rates who short-change or disappear with funds
- Fake high-yield forex or cryptocurrency trading platforms targeting savers amid rial devaluation
- Carpet and handicraft sellers using high-pressure tactics and inflated 'export' pricing for tourists
- Fake charity or religious donation solicitations, particularly around pilgrimage sites
Tourist-specific scams
- Bazaar merchants in Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran quoting vastly inflated prices to foreign tourists
- Unofficial taxi drivers overcharging tourists who are unfamiliar with local fare norms
- Unlicensed tour 'guides' at historic sites demanding payment after unsolicited assistance
Online shopping scams
- Telegram-based crypto and forex trading groups promising guaranteed returns, common given Telegram's popularity in Iran
- Phishing messages impersonating Iranian banks (e.g. Bank Melli, Saman) asking customers to confirm account details
- Fake online stores that take payment via bank transfer and never ship goods
Job scams
- Fake work-from-home or remote job offers requiring upfront payment for 'training materials'
- Overseas job or study 'agents' charging large fees for visa processing with no guaranteed outcome
Romance scams
- Online relationships with people claiming to be abroad, later requesting money transferred through informal hawala-style channels
- Scammers exploiting the difficulty of verifying identity given restricted international communications
Investment scams
- Unregistered forex and cryptocurrency trading platforms promising to beat rial inflation
- Ponzi-style investment funds recruiting through word of mouth and social media promising fixed monthly returns
How to report a scam here
- Stop payment immediately and contact your bank branch to report unauthorized transactions
- Report the incident to Iran's cyber police (FATA) unit or the nearest police station
- If a crypto or forex platform is involved, cease all further payments and document all communications
- If you are a foreign visitor and lost money, contact your embassy for guidance, since consular protection options are limited under sanctions
- Warn others through community channels if the scam appears to be circulating widely
Local reporting & protection links
- FATA cyber police — Report cyber fraud to Iran's FATA (Police Cyberspace) unit; dial 110 for general police emergencies
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Report fraudulent transactions to your bank's branch and to Iran's cyber police (FATA) unit; because sanctions limit international card protections, local reporting is the most effective option.
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
Why are crypto and forex scams so common in Iran?
Rial devaluation and international sanctions have pushed many Iranians toward informal currency alternatives, and fraudsters exploit this by marketing unregistered high-yield forex and crypto platforms.
Can foreign visitors get refunds through international card networks in Iran?
Generally no; sanctions mean most international card networks and dispute processes are unavailable, so caution before paying is especially important.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance