Crime in Benin

In Cotonou and other urban areas, common risks include pickpocketing, theft, robbery, armed attacks and assault, especially in crowds, markets, hotels, bars, public transport and on beaches. Dantokpa Market should be avoided at night and in the early morning. Carjacking can occur in Cotonou and on intercity roads. Scams may involve romance or dating, money transfers, jobs, business deals, residence promises or false requests from supposed relatives. False police officers and suspicious roadside stops are additional risks. The coast and south generally present a lower security risk than the far north, but violence can still occur at night or in isolated places. Alibori, Atacora, northern Borgou and Donga, the W and Pendjari park areas and border zones face a much higher threat from kidnapping, banditry and armed or terrorist groups. Current warnings for particular areas can differ between authorities, so the latest official advice should be checked before travel. Transnational crime also includes drug, weapons, vehicle, counterfeit and falsified-medicine trafficking, wildlife crime, human trafficking, money laundering, livestock theft and cybercrime. Reduce exposure by avoiding isolated beaches and night travel alone, securing doors and windows, limiting visible cash and valuables, and avoiding driving after dark where possible. If a suspicious vehicle or person signals a stop, wait for a clearly identifiable police control in a safer place instead of stopping immediately. Do not resist an armed attacker. For an emergency or police assistance, call the Police Républicaine on 117; the line is free and available 24 hours a day. A complaint or report can also be made at a local commissariat. A typical criminal process moves from the complaint or report to a preliminary investigation by the police judiciaire and then to the Procureur or Ministère Public. The DGPR is Benin's national police structure responsible for protecting people and property and maintaining public order. The DPJ and the BCN-INTERPOL office in Cotonou handle serious organised or cross-border cases. The free 166 line, available 24 hours a day, accepts reports about police corruption, ransom demands, abusive phone searches and other misconduct. The Ministry of the Interior states that a phone search is permitted only within a judicial investigation. Preserve messages, documents, payment records and other evidence when reporting. Victims can seek reception, social orientation and referral through GUPS. The Institut National de la Femme, reached free of charge on 114, supports women and girls affected by violence with protection, guidance and legal assistance. Ligne d'Assistance aux Enfants, reached on free 24-hour number 138, receives reports concerning children who are victims, witnesses or informants. Medical, psychosocial and legal referrals exist, but availability and quality vary by region; a uniform nationwide compensation or free legal-aid guarantee should not be assumed. For online fraud, threats, account compromise or sextortion, contact the OCRC at ocrc@dgpr.bj or on +229 65 48 78 74 and +229 63 09 51 62. The CNIN is also identified as a specialised digital-crime body, with the 151 contact line. Save screenshots, usernames, messages, payment details and timestamps. Change compromised passwords immediately, review account access and monitor transactions. End contact in sextortion cases, send neither money nor intimate material, and never forward child-abuse material; report it instead. A copy of a preliminary-investigation record can be requested from the Procureur or chief clerk of a TPI or Cour d'appel; the stated fee is 300 CFA francs per page and the stated delivery period is 72 hours.