Syria Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Syria's ongoing conflict and reconstruction period have created fertile ground for fake aid, remittance and property fraud targeting both residents and the Syrian diaspora abroad.
Emergency number: 112 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Syria remains shaped by over a decade of civil war, and scams there overwhelmingly target the Syrian diaspora and people trying to send help or move money into or out of the country, rather than tourists, since foreign leisure travel remains minimal and high-risk. Fraudsters exploit the collapse of formal banking by posing as hawala (informal money transfer) agents who disappear with funds, run fake humanitarian aid or NGO collection schemes, and sell nonexistent or already-destroyed property to buyers abroad. Displacement has also fueled scams around fake resettlement, visa and asylum-assistance services aimed at desperate families.
Common scams
- Fake hawala/money transfer agents who take a fee and never deliver funds to relatives inside Syria
- Bogus charity and humanitarian aid collectors claiming to help war victims or orphans
- Property fraud selling land or buildings that are destroyed, disputed, or not owned by the seller
- Fake resettlement, visa, or asylum-processing 'agents' charging large upfront fees
Tourist-specific scams
- Unofficial 'guides' at limited open sites overcharging for access or transport
- Currency exchange shortchanging at unregulated street exchange points
- Checkpoint-related solicitation for unofficial 'fees' from unauthorized individuals
Online shopping scams
- Social media appeals for donations to fake Syrian relief funds with no verifiable registration
- Phishing messages targeting diaspora Syrians impersonating Red Crescent or UN agencies
- Fake job offers in reconstruction or NGO sectors requiring upfront payment for visas or permits
Job scams
- Recruitment agencies charging large fees for reconstruction or NGO jobs that don't exist
- Offers of paid work abroad for Syrians that turn into exploitative or trafficking situations
Romance scams
- Online relationships that pivot to requests for money to 'escape' or reunite, often via crypto or hawala
- Fake profiles targeting sympathetic foreign donors with fabricated Syrian hardship stories
Investment scams
- Reconstruction-fund investment pitches promising high returns on rebuilding projects
- Crypto schemes marketed to the diaspora as a way to move money into Syria evading sanctions
How to report a scam here
- If money was sent via a hawala agent, report the individual/network to family or community elders and, if in your home country, to local police
- Report suspicious charities to the regulator in the country where the appeal was made (e.g., Charity Commission, IRS, ACNC)
- For property fraud, consult a lawyer before any purchase and verify ownership through multiple independent local contacts
- Report online fraud to the platform used and to your home country's cybercrime reporting body
- Contact your embassy or the nearest Syrian diplomatic mission for guidance on verified resettlement/visa channels
Local reporting & protection links
- Police / emergency — Dial 112 where lines are functioning; coverage is inconsistent nationwide
- Report fraud in your home country — Use your national cybercrime or fraud reporting portal, since Syrian institutions cannot process foreign complaints
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Syria's banking sector is fragmented by sanctions and conflict; never wire money through unverified hawala or agent networks, and report suspected fraud involving international transfers to your own bank's fraud team.
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
Is it safe to send money to family in Syria?
Formal international transfer options are extremely limited due to sanctions and banking collapse, so many people rely on hawala networks. Only use agents personally vetted by trusted family or community contacts, and never pay unknown intermediaries found online.
Are charity appeals for Syria legitimate?
Some are, but verify any charity's registration in the country where it solicits donations before giving, and prefer well-known international organizations like the Red Crescent/Red Cross or UN agencies over unverified social media appeals.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance