Sudan Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Sudan's fraud landscape includes mobile-money and bank-transfer scams, fake gold-trade deals, and fraudulent business or remittance schemes, compounded by disruption to banking and law enforcement from ongoing conflict.
Emergency number: 999 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Sudan has a historically significant informal gold trade, and fraudulent gold-sample or 'certificate' scams targeting foreign buyers have long been reported, alongside mobile-money and bank-transfer fraud affecting residents. Since the outbreak of conflict in 2023, banking operations, ATM access and law-enforcement responsiveness have been severely disrupted in many areas, increasing reliance on cash and informal transfer networks (hawala) that carry their own fraud risks, including fake agents and non-delivery of promised transfers. Diaspora Sudanese are frequently targeted by scammers impersonating relatives requesting emergency funds, and fake charity or aid-relief collection scams have proliferated online given the humanitarian crisis, exploiting genuine donor sympathy.
Common scams
- Fake gold-trade deals with worthless samples or fraudulent certificates targeting foreign buyers
- Fake charity or humanitarian-relief collection scams exploiting the conflict
- Diaspora remittance scams impersonating relatives requesting emergency funds
- Mobile-money and hawala-agent fraud
Tourist-specific scams
- Unofficial checkpoint or 'fee' demands from individuals without clear authority
- Unlicensed drivers significantly overcharging for transport where travel is possible
- Informal money changers using counterfeit currency or short-changing
Online shopping scams
- Fake charity and crowdfunding pages soliciting donations for Sudan relief that don't reach genuine causes
- Phishing messages impersonating banks or mobile-money providers
- Fraudulent gold or commodity trade offers targeting foreign buyers via email and social media
Job scams
- Fake NGO or aid-sector job offers requiring upfront fees
- Recruitment scams for overseas work exploiting displaced Sudanese seeking opportunities abroad
Romance scams
- Romance scammers targeting Sudanese and the diaspora on social media
- Fake foreign partners requesting money for travel or emergencies before meeting in person
Investment scams
- Fraudulent gold-mining or trade investment schemes targeting foreign investors
- Informal money-doubling or hawala-based Ponzi schemes
How to report a scam here
- Verify any charity or relief appeal directly with an established international organisation before donating
- Never share mobile-money PINs or one-time codes with anyone
- Report unauthorised transactions to your bank as soon as possible, recognising response times may be affected by ongoing disruption
- Verify any relative's emergency request by calling them directly on a known number before sending money
- Keep transaction records and correspondence as evidence in case recovery or reporting becomes possible later
Local reporting & protection links
- Police emergency (where available) — Dial 999
- Bank fraud reporting — Contact your bank directly; note ongoing conflict has disrupted banking operations in many areas
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Report unauthorised transactions to your bank as soon as possible, while recognising that ongoing conflict has disrupted banking operations and response times in many parts of the country.
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 verify a Sudan relief charity is genuine before donating?
Donate directly through established, well-known international humanitarian organisations rather than unsolicited social-media appeals or crowdfunding pages with no verifiable registration.
Is buying gold informally in Sudan risky?
Yes — fraudulent samples and fake certificates targeting foreign buyers are a known risk; only deal through licensed, verifiable traders and be aware that gold export is also subject to legal restrictions.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance