Perpetrators of business fraud often target foreigners,
including Americans. Formerly associated with Nigeria, these fraud schemes
are now prevalent throughout western Africa, including Togo, and pose a danger
of both financial loss and physical harm. An increasing number of
Americans have been the targets of such scams, losing anywhere from several
thousand to several hundred thousand dollars. Typically, these scam
operations begin with an unsolicited communication, usually by e-mail, from an
unknown individual who describes a situation that promises quick financial gain,
often by assisting in the transfer of a large sum of money or valuables out of
the country. The scenarios vary: an American must pretend to be the
next-of-kin to a recently deceased Togolese who left a fortune unclaimed in a
Togolese bank, or a person claiming to be related to present or former political
leaders needs assistance in transferring large sums of cash, or even a business
deal that appears to be legitimate. The requests are usually for the
payment of advance fees, attorneys’ fees, or down payments on contracts.
The final payoff does not exist; the purpose of the scam is to get any money
possible and to gain information about the American’s bank account. The
best way to avoid becoming a victim of advance-fee fraud is common sense – if it
looks too good to be true, it probably is. You should carefully check out
any unsolicited business proposals originating in Togo before you commit any
funds, provide any goods or services, or undertake any travel. Please
check the Embassy web site at http://lome.usembassy.gov/ for the
most current information on fraud in Togo. For additional information,
please see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ brochure on
International Financial Scams.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF
CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be
reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to
reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate
for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you
to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain
how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution
of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular
officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to
find an attorney if needed. See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH
INFORMATION: Medical facilities in Togo are limited and of very
poor quality, with no adequate emergency medical care. Availability of
medications through local pharmacies is unreliable, and travelers should carry
all necessary medications, properly labeled, with them. Malaria, a serious
and sometimes fatal disease, is prevalent in Togo. For additional
information on malaria, including protective measures, see the CDC travelers’
health web site at http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/.
Information on vaccinations and other health
precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline
for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s
internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For
information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World
Health Organization’s (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further
health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The
Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical
insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy
applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical
evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD
CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may
encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning Togo is provided for general
reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or
circumstance.
While some major thoroughfares in urban parts of Togo are
paved, many secondary streets are not, and become severely flooded every time it
rains. Driving conditions are hazardous throughout Togo due to the
presence of pedestrians, large numbers of small motorcycles, disorderly drivers
(moped, car and truck drivers), livestock on the roadways, and the poor
condition of the roads, including deep potholes. Overland travel off the
main network of roads generally requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Many
drivers in Togo do not obey traffic laws and most traffic signals do not
function properly. Drivers should be prepared for other vehicles to run
red lights or stops signs and drive in the wrong direction on one-way
streets.
Travelers are advised to exercise caution when using any form of
local public transportation. Never get into a taxi with unknown passengers
and always agree on the fare before getting in.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more
information. Visit a website of the country’s tourist office at http://www.togo-tourisme.com/.
AVIATION SAFETY
OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service between
the United States and Togo, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has
not assessed Togo’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more
information, travelers may visit the FAA’s Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Power outages, voltage fluctuations, and water shortages are common throughout
the country. Only certain U.S. credit cards are accepted in Togo.
Most major hotels and their restaurants accept American Express, MasterCard, and
Visa, while smaller hotels and restaurants do not. Travelers planning to
use credit cards should know which cards are accepted before they commit to any
transaction. Travelers should keep all credit card receipts, as
unauthorized card use and overcharging are common. There are some
Automatic Teller Machines that dispense local currency in major banks and they
are generally considered safe. Well-known money transfer firms, including
Western Union, operate in Togo.
Photographing places affiliated with the
government of Togo, including official government buildings, border crossings,
checkpoints, police stations, military bases, utility buildings, airports,
government vehicles, and government or military personnel, is strictly
prohibited, and local authorities will confiscate film and cameras.
Government buildings are not always clearly identifiable, as they vary from
being very well marked to not marked at all.
* *
* This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 23,
2007 to update sections on Entry / Exit Requirements, Safety and Security,
Crime, and Traffic Safety and Road Conditions.
*********************************************************** See
http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html for State Department Travel
Warnings
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