Seychelles Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Seychelles' scam risk for visitors is mostly limited to taxi and excursion overcharging, while its status as a financial and offshore-company hub has drawn scrutiny for misuse in international investment fraud.
Emergency number: 999 / 112 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Seychelles is a high-end tourism destination with generally low street crime, so visitor-facing scams are largely limited to taxi and water-taxi overcharging, informal tour operators quoting inflated prices for island-hopping excursions, and occasional overcharging for car and quad-bike rentals. A more significant concern is Seychelles' historical role as an offshore financial centre: its International Business Companies have at times been misused by international fraudsters to disguise the ownership of funds tied to Ponzi schemes, crypto scams and other investment fraud unconnected to genuine Seychellois residents or businesses — meaning victims elsewhere in the world sometimes encounter Seychelles-registered shell companies in scam paperwork. For residents, romance scams and phishing targeting local bank customers are the main online risks.
Common scams
- Taxi and water-taxi drivers overcharging tourists between islands
- Unlicensed tour operators quoting inflated prices for island-hopping excursions
- Phishing texts and emails impersonating local banks
- Misuse of Seychelles-registered offshore shell companies in international investment fraud
Tourist-specific scams
- Unmetered taxis charging inflated fares, especially from the airport on Mahé
- Car and quad-bike rental agencies adding undisclosed fees or damage charges
- Unofficial boat operators overcharging for trips to Praslin, La Digue or outer islands
- Vendors at markets overcharging tourists for spices and souvenirs
Online shopping scams
- Phishing emails and SMS impersonating local banks requesting login credentials
- Fake villa or holiday rental listings requiring upfront deposits
- Fraudulent investment platforms referencing Seychelles-registered companies to appear legitimate
Job scams
- Fake hospitality or yacht crew job offers requiring upfront fees for training or certification
- Recruitment scams for overseas work charging illegal advance placement fees
Romance scams
- Overseas romance scammers targeting Seychellois on dating apps and social media
- Fake foreign partners requesting money for travel or medical emergencies
Investment scams
- Fraudulent international investment schemes using Seychelles-registered shell companies to appear regulated
- Unregistered forex and cryptocurrency trading platforms promising guaranteed returns
How to report a scam here
- Agree taxi, rental and excursion prices before travelling
- Report fraud or theft to the Seychelles Police cybercrime unit
- Contact your bank immediately to freeze the account or dispute unauthorised charges
- Keep receipts, messages and screenshots as evidence
- If an investment scheme references a Seychelles company, verify its registration directly with the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles rather than trusting the scheme's own claims
Local reporting & protection links
- Seychelles Police
- Police emergency — Dial 999 or 112
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
Does a Seychelles company name make an investment legitimate?
No — fraudsters have used Seychelles-registered offshore shell companies to appear legitimate; always verify registration and any claimed regulatory licence independently through the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles before investing.
Is it normal to negotiate boat excursion prices in Seychelles?
Yes, agree the full price and itinerary before departure, ideally with a licensed operator recommended by your hotel.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance