Destinations › Lebanon › Beirut › Scams
Beirut, Lebanon
10 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Beirut, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.
Shared and private taxis quoting per-person rates to visitors where a shared 'service' fare is standard, and refusing to state the fare until arrival.
Exchange-rate confusion exploited at street level, with multiple rates in circulation and bills settled at whichever rate favours the vendor. Confirm the rate and currency before agreeing any price.
Generator and utility 'subscription' demands made to short-term tenants that are not part of the agreed rent.
Dating-app contacts steering matches to venues where inflated bills are produced and pressure applied to settle in hard currency.
Unlicensed guides at archaeological sites demanding payment after unrequested commentary.
Short-let listings taking deposits in foreign currency for properties unavailable or misrepresented on arrival.
Counterfeit branded goods and imitation antiquities sold as genuine in tourist-facing shops.
Pickpocketing and bag theft in crowded market districts and at transport hubs.
Unlicensed tour operators selling day trips to heritage sites that omit entry fees or run materially different itineraries.
Restaurants and bars adding undisclosed service charges and settling bills at unfavourable exchange rates without stating the currency.
