Safety and Scams

The Department of State warns that no part of Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence, and the potential exists for hostile acts, either targeted or random, against Western nationals at any time.

Travel there is unsafe due to military operations, land mines, banditry, armed rivalry among political and tribal groups, and the possibility of terrorist attacks. Carjackings and violent crime remain a problem. Riots and incidents of civil disturbance can and do occur.

The U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, Belize, has warned travelers of increases in violent crime in the capital as well as in the central and western regions of the country. Shootings and armed robberies have increased in both urban and rural areas, especially in Belize City. The government has deployed military troops in the west and on the border with Guatemala.

The Department of State continues to advise deferring travel to Chad due to the unstable security situation throughout the country. Armed rebel groups resumed activity in eastern Chad in mid-June and present real dangers. Commercial flights continue to operate from N’Djamena International Airport but are subject to change when rebel activity intensifies.

The United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) on May 29 released a 126-page report, “Crime and Its Impact on the Balkans and Affected Countries,” stating, “Surprising as it may be, the Balkan region is one of the safest in Europe.”

For the purposes of the report, the Balkans were defined as the nine nations of the Stability Pact: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia.

The State Department announced on May 27 that it had “determined that the current security climate in Indonesia no longer warrants a Travel Warning,” this after eight years on the list. This follows the Indonesian government’s arrests and convictions of numerous terrorists, with the last major terrorist incident in 2005.

The Department added, “However, the Embassy will not modify security precautions in light of this development and urges public facilities in Indonesia to also maintain their current high level of security as terrorist threats remain.”

Nepal continues to experience sporadic incidents of terrorism and politically motivated violence in major urban areas. In the runup to Constituent Assembly elections on April 10, bombings occurred in various locations around the country, including four in Kathmandu on April 4 in which no one was injured.

Travelers should avoid taking public transportation, including microbuses, and be cautious of unattended baggage in public places. Travel via road in areas outside of the Kathmandu Valley is hazardous due to erratic drivers.

The Department of State continues to warn of the possible dangers of travel to Nigeria.

Violent crime committed by ordinary criminals as well as persons in police and military uniforms can occur throughout the country. Visitors and resident Americans have experienced armed muggings, assaults, burglary, kidnappings and extortion, often involving violence. Carjackings, roadblock robberies and armed break-ins are common in many parts of Nigeria.

Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq have seen a marked increase in the number of terrorist bombings on government and civilian targets. In October 2009 there were more than 19 separate attacks in the three countries, with more than 500 casualties. 

In Kabul, AFGHANISTAN, bombs blew up at the Embassy of India and at a UN staff hostel. The luxury Serena Hotel was attacked, but the rocket failed and caused no damage; in January 2008 this hotel, with a largely international clientele, was damaged in a bomb attack.

The Rwandan government forces that entered the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in January at the invitation of the DRC government have withdrawn. Still, government soldiers, as well as rebel fighters, remain a concern.

These armed groups, located especially in North Kivu, South Kivu, Orientale, northern Katanga and Bas-Congo, are known to pillage, steal vehicles, kidnap, rape and kill. Travelers are frequently detained at roadblocks. Requests for bribes are common, and security forces have injured or killed people refusing to pay.

• Gelato in hand, you’re strolling down a street in Italy when suddenly an attractive woman starts arguing with a street vendor. A crowd gathers as he accuses her of shoplifting. To prove her innocence, she starts to strip. Once she’s down to her underwear, the vendor apologizes, the woman leaves and the onlookers disappear… and so have their wallets, thanks to a team of pickpockets working the show.

This is just one of the new, inventive ways that European scam artists operate. The good news is that if you’re wise to their tricks, you can just marvel at their ingenuity.