Zimbabwe Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams affecting tourists and residents in Zimbabwe, with official reporting routes through the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Emergency number: 995 (police) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Zimbabwe has a digitally active population and sees a wide variety of scams affecting residents and visitors alike. Tourists visiting Victoria Falls and Harare face transport overcharging and fake tour operators, while residents encounter phone impersonation scams, investment fraud and phishing. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) at zrp.gov.zw operates a Commercial Crimes Division with a dedicated Cybercrime Unit. The emergency number is 995.
Common scams
- Phone impersonation scams posing as police, banks or government officials
- Investment and crypto fraud promoted via social media
- Phishing messages impersonating banks or mobile money services
- Advance-fee and lottery scams via email or SMS
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging unlicensed taxis at Victoria Falls and Harare airport
- Fake gem and mineral investment pitches near tourist areas
- Distraction theft at Harare markets and tourist sites
- Overpriced unofficial money-changing services
Online shopping scams
- Fake mobile money requests impersonating EcoCash or other providers
- Social media marketplace scams with no goods delivered
- Phishing links targeting online banking credentials
Job scams
- Fake overseas job ads requiring advance payments or passport copies
- 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, crypto and gold-trading platforms
- Pig-butchering combining romance with fabricated investment portals
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank or mobile money provider immediately to freeze accounts
- Call 995 or contact the ZRP National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631
- For cyber fraud, contact the Commercial Crimes Division via zrp.gov.zw
- Preserve all screenshots, wallet addresses and transaction records 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 or EcoCash/mobile money provider immediately to freeze affected accounts. Obtain a ZRP case number from zrp.gov.zw for formal bank or mobile-money 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
Is mobile money fraud common in Zimbabwe?
Mobile money (particularly EcoCash) is widely used in Zimbabwe, making it a target for impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as EcoCash agents or send fake transaction confirmations. Always verify transfers directly in your official app and never share your PIN with anyone claiming to be from a mobile money provider.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance