Scam Calls from +229 (Benin): West African Fraud Hub
● High scam risk
Benin is one of the lesser-known but active West African scam hubs. Like neighboring Nigeria and Ghana, scammers target French-speaking and English-speaking Western victims with romance, inheritance, and business fraud.
Common Scam Types from +229
Romance scams
Long-term emotional manipulation, often via dating sites.
Inheritance fraud
Claims that you have inherited money from a Beninese 'relative' or business partner.
Visa lottery scams
Fake offers to help victims win the US Diversity Visa lottery for a fee.
Warning Signs
- Unverified inheritance claims
- Requests for visa processing fees
- Online romance escalating to money requests
What to Do
- Verify any inheritance claim through licensed attorneys only
- Never pay for visa lottery services (it's free)
- Block and report
How to Block Calls from +229
- Block the number
- Block international calls from West Africa if not needed