Zambia Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams affecting tourists and residents in Zambia, with official reporting routes through the Zambia Police Service.
Emergency number: 999 (police) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Zambia attracts visitors to Victoria Falls, the South Luangwa national parks and Lusaka. Tourists face overcharging taxis, fake tour operators and distraction theft, while residents deal with phone fraud, investment scams and online marketplace deception. The Zambia Police Service at zambiapolice.gov.zm maintains a Fraud Investigations and INTERPOL Section that handles cybercrime, and the emergency number is 999.
Common scams
- Phone impersonation scams posing as banks, police or officials
- Investment and crypto fraud promoted via social media
- Phishing messages impersonating banks or mobile money providers
- Advance-fee scams via email or SMS
Tourist-specific scams
- Unlicensed taxi overcharging at Lusaka airport and Victoria Falls border
- Fake safari or wildlife tour operators
- Overpriced or counterfeit craft goods at tourist markets
Online shopping scams
- Fake online marketplace listings requiring advance payment
- Social media shop scams with no goods delivered
- Phishing links targeting mobile banking credentials
Job scams
- Fake overseas job ads requiring advance fees or documents
- Task scams via messaging apps escalating into deposit demands
Romance scams
- Dating-app grooming escalating to investment or wire-transfer requests
- Fake online partners seeking emergency funds
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 999 or visit the nearest Zambia Police Service station
- Report cybercrime to the Fraud Investigations and INTERPOL Section via zambiapolice.gov.zm
- 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
Contact your bank immediately using the official number on your card. Request an emergency hold on fraudulent transfers. Obtain a Zambia Police Service case number for formal bank disputes.
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
Who handles cybercrime investigations in Zambia?
The Fraud Investigations and INTERPOL Section of the Zambia Police Service investigates cyber-enabled financial crime, email hacking, unauthorised access and online transaction fraud. Contact them via zambiapolice.gov.zm or call 999.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance