Palau Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Palau's high-value dive tourism sees fake dive operator and liveaboard booking scams, while residents face phishing and romance fraud common across the Pacific.
Emergency number: 911 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Palau is a premium dive tourism destination, and its relatively high-spending visitor profile has made fake dive charter and liveaboard boat booking scams the most relevant tourist risk, with fraudulent listings on social media or generic booking sites collecting large deposits for trips that don't exist. Everyday tourist risks include overcharging for water taxi and island tour transport. For residents, the main risks mirror the wider Pacific: phishing targeting bank accounts, online romance scams, and fraudulent online marketplace listings exploiting the cost and delay of importing goods.
Common scams
- Fake dive charter or liveaboard boat booking listings requiring large upfront deposits
- Phishing messages impersonating local banks (National Development Bank of Palau) requesting account details
- Fraudulent vacation rental listings for Koror-area accommodation requiring wire transfer
- Fake online marketplace listings for vehicles or equipment shipped to the island
Tourist-specific scams
- Unlicensed water taxi or island tour operators overcharging for Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake excursions
- Dive shops substituting cheaper, shorter dives than advertised without informing customers
Online shopping scams
- Facebook and dive-forum listings advertising nonexistent liveaboard trips or dive packages
- Phishing texts or emails impersonating banks or mobile providers
- Fake online stores collecting payment for dive gear or electronics never shipped
Job scams
- Fake dive instructor or hospitality job offers requiring upfront fees for work permit processing
- Fraudulent recruitment for fishing vessel jobs requiring advance payment
Romance scams
- Scammers on dating apps building relationships with tourists or residents before requesting money for travel or emergencies
- Fake foreign business partner schemes requesting funds to release a shipment or investment payout
Investment scams
- Cryptocurrency schemes recruiting through social media referral networks
- Fake eco-tourism or marine conservation investment pitches targeting environmentally conscious donors and investors
How to report a scam here
- Report the incident to the Palau Bureau of Public Safety
- Contact your bank immediately to dispute unauthorized transactions
- For dive or liveaboard booking fraud, book only through operators listed with the Palau Visitors Authority and verify independently before paying a large deposit
- Foreign victims should also report to their home country's fraud authority
Local reporting & protection links
- Palau Bureau of Public Safety — Report in person in Koror; emergency line 911
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately to report unauthorized transactions and request a freeze, then file a police report 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
How can I avoid fake dive booking scams in Palau?
Book through operators verified with the Palau Visitors Authority or well-established, reviewed dive shops, and be cautious of listings only found on generic social media groups demanding full prepayment by wire transfer.
Are there common street scams in Palau?
Palau sees relatively few street-level tourist scams; the main risk is booking fraud for dive trips and accommodation arranged online before arrival.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance