Jordan Scams: Online, Tourist & Financial Fraud Guide
Common scams in Jordan and how to report them to the Anti-Cybercrime Unit, the Public Security Directorate, and your bank.
Emergency number: 911 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Jordan is a stable, well-visited country in the Middle East, and while serious violent crime is rare, scams targeting tourists and residents do occur. Jordan's Anti-Cybercrime Unit, part of the Public Security Directorate, investigates digital crimes under the Cybercrime Law, and the Central Bank of Jordan has a consumer protection function for financial services complaints.
For visitors, the friction points cluster around the headline sites. At Petra, horse, donkey, and camel handlers quote one price and demand another at the end — agree everything, including tips, before mounting anything, and note that some 'guides' inside the site are unlicensed freelancers who expect payment for unsolicited commentary. Wadi Rum camp and jeep-tour bookings made through social media pages sometimes bear no relation to the camp that actually exists; book through operators with verifiable reviews. Taxis in Amman may decline the meter for foreigners — insist on it or use ride-hailing apps — and 'Dead Sea product' shops sell cosmetics at enormous markups with fake provenance. Unofficial money changers and airport 'helpers' round out the standard repertoire. All of it is negotiation-layer fraud rather than danger.
For residents, the digital picture matches the region: phishing calls and texts impersonating banks and government services harvesting card details and OTPs, social media marketplace fraud with non-delivery and fake payment screenshots, advance-fee and lottery messages, and investment fraud through forex and crypto platforms promoted on Facebook and Telegram — some impersonating licensed firms. Fake overseas-employment brokers charge fees for Gulf and European jobs that never materialise. When money moves, call your bank first, then report to the Anti-Cybercrime Unit, and escalate unresolved banking disputes to the Central Bank's consumer protection division.
Common scams
- Banking and payment card phishing
- Fake investment and cryptocurrency platforms
- Overcharging tourist services at historical sites
- Social media marketplace fraud and non-delivery
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging guides and transport operators at Petra and Wadi Rum
- Fake souvenir and Dead Sea product sellers
- Unofficial money changers offering poor or fraudulent exchange rates
Online shopping scams
- Phishing impersonating banks or government services
- Fake online shops and marketplace non-delivery
- Social media advance-fee and lottery scams
Job scams
- Fake overseas employment offers requiring upfront fees
- Task scams via messaging apps
- Unlicensed brokers charging for Gulf and European work contracts
Romance scams
- Social media romance with escalating financial requests
- Online partners claiming gifts are held at customs needing fees
- Video-call blackmail ('sextortion') via social apps
Investment scams
- Fake forex and cryptocurrency trading platforms
- Pyramid and multi-level investment schemes
- Facebook/Telegram trading groups impersonating licensed firms
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if a fraudulent transfer was made
- Report cybercrime to the Anti-Cybercrime Unit of the Public Security Directorate at psd.gov.jo
- For financial service fraud, contact the Central Bank of Jordan consumer protection division
- Call 911 for urgent police assistance
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Call your bank on the official number on your card or in its app as soon as you can, since a transfer is easiest to stop soon after it is sent, and Jordan's instant payment rails (including CliQ) make minutes matter. Say that you were deceived into authorising the payment, ask for the receiving account to be reported, and note the reference number. Remember that no Jordanian bank or government office calls to request your card number, CVV, or OTP — and sharing an OTP is treated as authorising the transaction, so describe exactly how you were pressured. If a card number, code, or password was shared, ask for the card to be blocked and reissued and your credentials changed from another device. File with the Anti-Cybercrime Unit so your bank claim carries an official case, and if you are unhappy with how your bank handles it, the Central Bank of Jordan accepts financial consumer protection complaints at cbj.gov.jo.
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 cybercrime in Jordan?
Contact the Anti-Cybercrime Unit of the Public Security Directorate via psd.gov.jo or visit their offices. For urgent police assistance, call 911. Financial fraud can also be reported to the Central Bank of Jordan.
Are tourist scams common at Petra?
Overcharging for horse, donkey, or camel rides is common at Petra. Always agree on the price before accepting any ride or service, and use guides registered through official operators rather than individuals who approach you spontaneously.
What is Jordan's Cybercrime Law?
Jordan's Cybercrime Law No. 17 of 2023 replaced the previous 2015 law and broadened the scope of digital offences and penalties. The Anti-Cybercrime Unit of the Public Security Directorate is the primary enforcement body.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance