Advance-Fee Scams in Montenegro
Advance-fee fraud targets Montenegrin residents with fake business contracts, property-sale proceeds, and EU grant schemes requiring upfront payments.
Part of: Advance Fee Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Montenegro's ongoing EU accession process and growing business environment provide ready-made pretexts for advance-fee scammers. Fake EU grant opportunities, government procurement contracts, and property transaction fees are among the most common pitches targeting Montenegrin residents and businesses.
Foreign nationals with interests in Montenegro are also targeted with claims of unclaimed property or business proceeds requiring legal fees to release.
How this scam works on Montenegro
Montenegrin businesses receive fake tender notifications claiming they have been selected for a government or EU-funded infrastructure contract. A bond payment is required before the contract documentation is issued — payment which is never refunded.
Property transaction scams target homeowners: fraudsters pose as buyers offering above-market prices for Montenegrin coastal property, then request advance fees for 'legal processing' before the sale can proceed.
EU grant fraud claims that a Montenegrin business or individual has been approved for an EU development fund grant, requiring an administration fee to activate the grant — a fee that is entirely fabricated.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited notification of a government contract, EU grant, or property buyer opportunity
- Request for advance payment before official documentation is issued
- EU grant notification that cannot be verified through official EU or Montenegrin government portals
- Property buyer refuses to use a registered notary for the transaction
- Contact is only via personal email or WhatsApp rather than official channels
- Urgency pressure to pay within 24–48 hours
How to protect yourself
- Verify all government contracts through official procurement portals
- Check EU grant claims directly with the Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro
- All property transactions in Montenegro must go through a registered notary — insist on this
- Never pay advance fees for contracts or grants
- Seek independent legal advice before any large financial transaction
How to report it
- Report to the Montenegro Police Administration
- Notify the Anti-Corruption Agency (AKK) if a government contract or grant fraud is involved
- Alert the Ministry of European Affairs if an EU grant was falsely claimed
Frequently asked questions
How do legitimate EU grants work in Montenegro?
Legitimate EU grants for Montenegro are administered through official IPA (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance) programmes with transparent public processes. Any grant notification that arrives unsolicited and requires an advance fee is fraudulent.