Fake Police in Bolivia

by Terry
(Canada)

My stay in La Paz was very pleasant, La Paz is an amazing city and I would recommend everyone to visit this city.

However, I don't want to scare people away from visiting Bolivia. It is probably the safest country in South America and you know every country will have its thieves. However, I'm sure most people have heard of the fake police and kidnappings, which are very rare in Bolivia. Though, I had one incident in La Paz that could have turned out bad. Here's my story.

First of all a guy stopped us on the street and claimed to be a Brazilian tourist, asked us in English where the San Francisco cathedral was. He pulled out a map and showed us where he thought it was and he realized he must have past it on his walk.

The Brazilian tourists(claiming to be) continued to chat with us for a few minuets and then another guy came up to us claiming to be a police and showed us a badge.

He demanded to see our passports and visas(I instantly new this was a set up). The Brazilian presented everything immediately and without question, and a minute later an unmarked car pulled up with two more bogus police. They demanded that we get in the car and go with them to the police station just around the corner.

The Brazilian tourist jumped in right away and tried to convince us that we get in before we get into more trouble. All the while the fake police demanding us to get into the vehicle.

We refused to cooperate with the bogus police and told them that we weren't going to get into the car and to follow us on foot to the police station to handle this. We started walking and they soon took off, probably to find their next victim.

Those thieves were very convincing, if I didn't know before hand about this scheme going on in Bolivia, I probably would have gotten in the vehicle with them and who knows what would have happened!

Here are a few of my tips while visiting Bolivia:

Policemen in Bolivia are dressed in green uniforms, rarely in street clothes. So, be wary of someone in street clothes asking for your passport.

Never get in an unmarked taxi. Most taxis will display there sign on the vehicle. Radio taxis are the most trusted, they have a well lit sign and their phone number is on the vehicle.