Understanding the Risks in Afghanistan
For those who are in Afghanistan for professional or humanitarian reasons, understanding the scam and safety landscape โ alongside the broader security context โ is essential.
Common Scams & Risks in Afghanistan
Beyond the overriding security risks, these specific scams and deceptions target foreigners โ including NGO workers, journalists, and researchers.
Street money changers โ a fixture of Afghan bazaars โ routinely short-change foreigners by quickly folding bills, substituting old or torn notes, or applying fictitious exchange rates. Counterfeit Afghani notes are in circulation. The chaotic atmosphere of the Sarai Shahzada money market in Kabul can be deliberately confusing.
- Always count notes in full before handing over any currency.
- Use a single trusted money changer recommended by your organisation or host.
- Familiarise yourself with current Afghani banknote denominations and serial numbers.
- Never exchange money under pressure or while moving.
Unofficial taxis near Kabul International Airport (KBL) and in the city centre overcharge foreigners dramatically. More seriously, some "taxi drivers" may be informants or opportunistic criminals who report the movements of foreign nationals. Vehicles can be followed after collection.
- Arrange all transport in advance through your organisation, embassy, or trusted Afghan contact.
- Never hail a taxi from the street โ use pre-arranged, known vehicles only.
- Vary your routes and travel times to avoid predictable patterns.
- Share movements only on a need-to-know basis.
Unofficial "fixers" offer to obtain permits, press credentials, or travel documents through informal channels. These documents may be fabricated or obtained through bribery, leaving the holder legally exposed. At Taliban checkpoints, forged documents can lead to detention.
- Only obtain permits and credentials through official channels or established NGO/media networks.
- Verify any fixer's identity and reputation through multiple independent sources.
- Carry original passports and official credentials at all times.
- Do not pay for documents you cannot independently verify.
Afghanistan is rich in lapis lazuli, emeralds, and ancient artefacts. Fake gems, glass passed as lapis, and "ancient" coins freshly manufactured are sold to foreigners at grossly inflated prices. Exporting genuine antiques is illegal and can result in serious legal consequences at Afghan checkpoints or your home country's customs.
- Never purchase items presented as "ancient" or "pre-Islamic" artefacts.
- Only buy gemstones from established, licensed dealers with written receipts.
- Check your home country's customs rules on Afghan minerals before purchase.
- Assume any "bargain" gem is a synthetic or glass imitation.
Foreign businesspeople and NGO workers are sometimes approached with elaborate investment or business partnership proposals that involve upfront payments for permits, licences, or contracts. These are typically advance-fee fraud schemes. "Business contacts" may claim government or Taliban connections to add credibility.
- Never make upfront financial commitments for unverified business opportunities.
- Verify all business contacts through your embassy, chamber of commerce, or established NGOs.
- Any claim of Taliban government endorsement should be treated with extreme scepticism.
- Consult a legal expert familiar with Afghan law before any financial agreement.
Unofficial SIM cards sold at airports or bazaars may be registered under false identities, leaving the buyer legally exposed, or may simply not work as advertised. Overpaying for local SIM cards is standard practice with foreigners. Pre-loaded data may be misrepresented.
- Purchase SIM cards from official Roshan or Afghan Wireless retail outlets only.
- Consider a global eSIM (Airalo, Yesim) before arrival for reliable, pre-registered connectivity.
- Register your SIM with your own identity documentation, not through a third party.
Risk by City & Region
All Afghan cities and regions carry high baseline risk. The breakdown below identifies specific scam and security patterns by location.
The capital is the most dangerous city for foreigners. Terrorist attacks (ISIS-K, Taliban splinter groups), kidnapping, and targeted assassination of foreign nationals have all occurred. The Wazir Akbar Khan diplomatic quarter offers marginally better security infrastructure.
- Airport taxi overcharging and surveillance of arriving foreigners
- Currency fraud at Sarai Shahzada money market
- Fake permit and document fixers near government ministries
- Advance-fee business fraud targeting NGO and business visitors
- Gem and carpet overpricing in Chicken Street bazaar
Western Afghanistan's largest city and historic trade hub. Iran border proximity creates additional smuggling and immigration fraud risks. The historic bazaars around the Friday Mosque are active tourist traps for the rare visitor.
- Carpet and textile fraud โ fake antiques in the old bazaar
- Gem overpricing (lapis lazuli, turquoise) from street vendors
- Unofficial border crossing "guides" demanding payment at Iran frontier
- Currency short-changing in the main bazaar
- Fake hotel booking confirmations for non-existent guesthouses
Northern Afghanistan's major city, home to the Blue Mosque (Shrine of Hazrat Ali). Historically more moderate in character than Kabul, but all cities carry extreme risk for foreigners under current conditions.
- Overpriced "guided tours" of the Blue Mosque by unofficial guides
- Carpet dealers presenting machine-made rugs as handmade antiques
- Transport overcharging and route diversion for foreigners
- Fraudulent handicraft certificates claiming UNESCO authenticity
The Taliban's spiritual heartland. Foreign presence is extremely conspicuous and dangerous. Travel here by foreign nationals is effectively impossible outside armed military or security escort. No legitimate tourism exists.
- Any "tourist" approach should be treated as a surveillance or entrapment risk
- Unofficial checkpoints demanding payments from travellers
- False offers of safe passage for payment
Eastern gateway city near the Pakistan border (Torkham crossing). High ISIS-K activity and a primary route for smuggling. The Torkham border crossing is one of South Asia's most active smuggling corridors and a known site for document fraud and payment extortion.
- Document and customs "facilitation" bribes at Torkham border
- Unofficial "guides" at the border demanding payment to pass
- Counterfeit currency in border bazaars
- Luggage tampering and theft at the border crossing
Outside major cities, Taliban control is total and international law enforcement presence is zero. Poppy cultivation areas (Helmand, Nangarhar, Badakhshan) carry narcotics-related legal risk. Road travel between provinces is extremely dangerous and subject to bandit attacks and checkpoints.
- Unofficial checkpoints demanding "tax" payments from travellers
- False offers of tribal protection or safe-conduct for payment
- Narcotics planting to extort payment or compliance
- Forged permits claimed to be required for travel in restricted zones
Safety Tips for Afghanistan
For those present in Afghanistan professionally โ journalists, aid workers, researchers โ these practices are considered minimum-standard security hygiene.
- โ Register with your embassy or consulate before and during any presence in Afghanistan โ even if the physical embassy is closed, many maintain digital registration systems.
- โ Use a reputable security management company experienced in Afghanistan if operating for an NGO or media organisation.
- โ Maintain a low profile at all times โ dress conservatively, limit visible foreign-branded items and electronics, and avoid speaking loudly in foreign languages in public.
- โ Vary your routes and timings daily โ predictable patterns are a primary kidnapping risk factor.
- โ Establish a regular check-in schedule with a colleague or organisation contact outside Afghanistan.
- โ Carry only the cash and documents you need for each outing โ leave passports and bulk cash in a secure location.
- โ Have an emergency extraction plan โ know your rally point, emergency contacts, and the procedure for your organisation if communications are lost.
- โ Use a secure communication app (Signal) for sensitive communications and assume all local phone networks are monitored.
- โ Obtain comprehensive kidnap & ransom (K&R) insurance before departure โ standard travel insurance does not cover this.
- โ Brief trusted local contacts on your plans only to the minimum extent necessary โ operational security applies to your Afghan colleagues too.
Stay Connected & Protected
For those who must be in Afghanistan, reliable communications and travel protection are critical, not optional.
Emergency Numbers & Contacts
Most Western embassies have closed or relocated. Digital registration and out-of-country emergency contacts are your primary resource.