Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines sees mostly minor tourist overcharging around water taxis and yacht charters, plus online romance and phishing scams affecting residents and the yachting community.
Emergency number: 911 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a popular yachting and dive destination, and most fraud risk for visitors is low-level: unlicensed water-taxi operators overcharging between islands, informal vendors at Kingstown market pressuring sales, and occasional overcharging for boat charters or mooring fees in the Grenadines. Yacht owners and charter guests should be cautious of unofficial 'agents' offering provisioning, clearance or mooring services at inflated prices without proper authorisation. Online, residents face phishing targeting local bank customers, Facebook Marketplace non-delivery scams, and romance scams run by overseas fraudsters targeting Vincentians on dating platforms.
Common scams
- Unlicensed water-taxi or boat-charter operators overcharging tourists
- Unofficial 'agents' offering customs clearance or provisioning services to yachts at inflated prices
- Phishing texts and calls impersonating local banks
- Facebook Marketplace non-delivery scams
Tourist-specific scams
- Water-taxi drivers quoting inflated inter-island fares without a set price beforehand
- Market vendors in Kingstown using high-pressure tactics or short-changing tourists
- Unofficial guides charging fees for access to beaches or sites that are free
- Villa and charter rental scams advertised online that don't exist
Online shopping scams
- Phishing emails and SMS impersonating local banks requesting login credentials
- Fake villa or yacht charter rental listings requiring upfront deposits
- Social-media shops taking payment without delivering goods
Job scams
- Fake job offers on cruise ships or yachts requiring upfront fees for certification or placement
- Recruitment scams for overseas hospitality work charging illegal advance fees
Romance scams
- Overseas romance scammers targeting Vincentians via dating apps and social media
- Fake foreign partners requesting money for travel, medical emergencies or customs fees
Investment scams
- Unregistered forex and cryptocurrency schemes promising guaranteed high returns
- Informal 'sou-sou' or investment club schemes that collapse without paying out
How to report a scam here
- Agree prices for water-taxis, charters and tours before travelling
- Report fraud or theft to the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force
- Contact your bank immediately to freeze the account or dispute unauthorised charges
- Keep receipts, messages and screenshots as evidence
- If scammed by an overseas actor, also report to your home country's fraud reporting service
Local reporting & protection links
- Police emergency — Dial 911
- Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force — Report in person at the nearest police station
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 immediately to freeze the affected account or card and dispute unauthorised transactions.
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 yacht 'agents' in the Grenadines legitimate?
Many are legitimate, but always verify a provisioning or clearance agent through your marina or charter company before paying, as unofficial touts sometimes overcharge or fail to deliver services.
Is it safe to rent a villa online in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?
Book through reputable, established rental platforms or agencies and be wary of listings that only accept wire transfers with no verifiable reviews or contact details.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance