Montenegro Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams affecting tourists and residents in Montenegro, with official reporting routes through the Ministry of Interior.
Emergency number: 122 (police), 112 (emergency) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Montenegro is a fast-growing tourism destination on the Adriatic coast, attracting visitors to Kotor, Budva and the Bay of Kotor. Tourists face overcharging taxis, fake rental agreements and inflated restaurant bills, while residents and online users encounter phishing, investment fraud and romance scams. The Montenegrin police (122) and Ministry of Interior portal at gov.me/en/mup are the official reporting channels.
Common scams
- Phishing messages impersonating Montenegrin banks or government services
- Investment and crypto fraud via social media
- Fake rental agreement scams for holiday apartments
- Online marketplace fraud with no delivery
Tourist-specific scams
- Unlicensed taxi overcharging at airports and ferry ports
- Inflated restaurant bills or undisclosed cover charges in tourist areas
- Fake accommodation listings on unofficial booking sites
- Distraction theft at Kotor Old Town and Budva beach areas
Online shopping scams
- Fake property rental websites targeting foreign buyers
- Social media shop scams with counterfeit or non-existent goods
- Phishing emails impersonating banks or utility providers
Job scams
- Fake seasonal work ads targeting young travellers
- Task scams via messaging apps that escalate into deposit demands
Romance scams
- Dating-app grooming escalating to investment or money requests
- Fake online partners seeking emergency transfers
Investment scams
- Fake real-estate and crypto investment platforms targeting EU buyers
- Pig-butchering combining romance with fabricated trading portals
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately to freeze affected accounts
- Call 122 (police) or 112 (emergency) to report fraud
- File a report via the Ministry of Interior portal at gov.me/en/mup
- Preserve all screenshots, contracts and transaction 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. Request an emergency hold on any fraudulent transfer. Obtain a police case number from the Ministry of Interior 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
Are property scams common in Montenegro?
Montenegro has attracted significant foreign real-estate interest, and fake listing scams targeting overseas buyers have been reported. Always use a licensed local estate agent, verify ownership records through official Montenegrin land registry services, and never pay a deposit without verified legal documentation.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance