Ivory Coast Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) is a historical hub for advance-fee '419'-style fraud, with cocoa-trade investment scams and mobile money fraud also widespread today.
Emergency number: 111 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Côte d'Ivoire, alongside Nigeria, has long been associated with advance-fee ('419') email and letter scams, and while the format has shifted to WhatsApp, Facebook and dating apps, the core inheritance, lottery and fake-official tactics persist. As the world's largest cocoa producer, fake cocoa-export and commodity-trading investment schemes targeting foreign buyers are common, often citing forged cooperative or government paperwork. Mobile money (Orange Money, MTN, Moov) fraud is widespread domestically, and Abidjan's markets and beach areas see routine tourist overcharging and unlicensed guide fees.
Common scams
- Advance-fee ('419'-style) scams via email, WhatsApp or social media citing inheritance, lottery wins or frozen funds
- Fake cocoa or commodity export deals targeting foreign buyers with forged cooperative documents
- Mobile money agent impersonation to obtain PINs or redirect transfers
- Romance scams building relationships before requesting money for travel or medical emergencies
Tourist-specific scams
- Unlicensed guides at Abidjan markets and beaches demanding fees after unsolicited assistance
- Taxi drivers quoting inflated, non-metered fares to visibly foreign visitors
- Currency exchange short-changing, particularly at informal exchange points
Online shopping scams
- Phishing messages impersonating Orange Money or MTN asking users to confirm PINs or account details
- Facebook Marketplace and WhatsApp sales scams for electronics or vehicles requiring upfront deposits
- Fake online stores taking payment via mobile money transfer and never delivering goods
Job scams
- Recruitment agents charging upfront fees for cocoa-sector or overseas jobs that don't exist
- Fake NGO or embassy hiring notices circulated on Facebook requesting fees and personal documents
Romance scams
- Long-distance online relationships escalating to requests for money for travel or a family emergency
- Profiles using stolen photos of foreigners to build trust with victims abroad before requesting funds
Investment scams
- Unregistered cocoa or commodity-export investment offers promising high guaranteed returns
- Cryptocurrency trading groups promoted via WhatsApp and Facebook with no verifiable operator
How to report a scam here
- Stop payment immediately and contact your mobile money provider to attempt to block the transfer
- Report the incident to the Plateforme de Lutte Contre la Cybercriminalité (PLCC), Côte d'Ivoire's cybercrime unit
- File a police report at the nearest station and request a written record
- If scammed from abroad, also report to your home country's fraud reporting body
- Preserve all messages, screenshots and transaction records as evidence
Local reporting & protection links
- Plateforme de Lutte Contre la Cybercriminalité (PLCC)
- Police emergency — Dial 111
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank's fraud department in Abidjan right away and file a complaint with the PLCC cybercrime platform to support any dispute.
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
Is Côte d'Ivoire still linked to advance-fee scams?
The classic 'Nigerian prince'-style email scam has largely moved to WhatsApp, Facebook and dating apps, but the same advance-fee tactics (fake inheritance, lottery wins, frozen funds) still originate from the region and target victims worldwide.
How do I verify a cocoa export deal from Côte d'Ivoire?
Verify any cocoa cooperative or exporter through Côte d'Ivoire's Conseil du Café-Cacao before sending any payment, as forged export documents are a common tactic.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance