Tunisia Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams affecting tourists and residents in Tunisia, with official reporting routes through the Ministry of Interior.
Emergency number: 197 (police) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Tunisia is a popular North African destination, attracting visitors to Tunis, Djerba, Hammamet and the Sahara. Tourists encounter unofficial tour guides, overcharging taxis and carpet-selling pressure tactics, while residents face phishing targeting bank accounts, investment fraud and phone impersonation scams. The Tunisian police can be reached on 197 and the Ministry of Interior portal is at interieur.gov.tn.
Common scams
- Phishing messages impersonating Tunisian banks
- Phone impersonation scams posing as police or tax officials
- Investment and crypto fraud promoted via social media
- Advance-fee scams via email or SMS
Tourist-specific scams
- Unofficial guide approaches at Tunis Medina, Carthage and Djerba
- Overcharging unlicensed taxis at airports and tourist sites
- Carpet and souvenir high-pressure selling with inflated prices
- Fake or overpriced camel-ride and Sahara tour operators
Online shopping scams
- Fake online shop listings with no delivery
- Social media phishing targeting bank login credentials
- Delivery fee SMS scams impersonating postal services
Job scams
- Fake overseas job ads requiring advance fees or passport copies
- Task scams via messaging apps escalating into deposit demands
Romance scams
- Dating-app grooming escalating to investment or money requests
- Fake online partners seeking emergency wire transfers
Investment scams
- Fake forex and crypto trading platforms promoted on social media
- Pig-butchering combining romance with fabricated investment portals
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately to freeze affected accounts
- Call 197 (police) or 193 (National Guard in rural areas) to report fraud
- File a report via the Ministry of Interior portal at interieur.gov.tn
- Preserve all screenshots, messages and transaction receipts as evidence
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Phone your bank on the number printed on your card, or go into a branch, and ask for an emergency hold on the transfer. Do not use a number or link from the person who contacted you. Make it clear that you were deceived into authorising the payment, request that the receiving account be reported, and ask for a written reference. If card details or login credentials were shared, ask about freezing and reissuing the card. A police case number from 197, 193 or interieur.gov.tn supports the formal bank 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
Are unofficial guide scams common in Tunisia?
Unofficial guide approaches are frequently reported at the Tunis Medina, Carthage, Djerba and Saharan tourist sites. Guides without official badges may lead tourists to overpriced shops where they earn commission. Prefer guides accredited by the Tunisian National Tourism Office and agree on all fees before departing.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance