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Bahrain (BH)

A compact, English-friendly Gulf island state with no personal income tax, strong banking and professional services, liberal social norms by regional standards, and a practical base for Saudi Arabia via the King Fahd Causeway.

Capital: Manama
Region: Middle East
Language: Arabic
Currency: BHD (BD)
Cost of living: Moderate (index 58)
Emergency: 999
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Scam Warnings

Common scams targeting expats in Bahrain.

Bahrain is a small, cosmopolitan Gulf state where expatriates make up roughly 55–60 % of the resident population, making them a disproportionate target for employment, rental, banking, and digital scams. Three golden rules: verify every job offer directly with the employer and LMRA before paying any fee; never transfer a rental deposit before viewing the property in person; and the Central Bank of Bahrain (cbb.gov.bh) or the Consumer Protection Directorate (moic.gov.bh) never asks for payment by WhatsApp message. For emergencies call 999 — Bahrain's single national emergency number covering police, fire, and ambulance.

Fake Job Offer / Recruitment Fee Scam

critical

Fraudulent recruitment agencies and online ads promise well-paying jobs in Bahrain, often targeting workers from South and Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Philippines. Victims pay fees for "visa processing," "training certificates," or "work permits" before travelling — and arrive to find the job does not exist or the role is nothing like advertised. This is consistently cited by the US State Department Trafficking in Persons Report as a serious problem in Bahrain. Legitimate employers bear all recruitment costs; charging fees to workers is illegal under Bahraini labour law.

How to spot it
  • - Any agency or individual asking for money from you before the job starts — a certain sign of fraud
  • - Salary and role description are vague or change between conversations
  • - Employer or agency cannot be verified on the LMRA portal (lmra.gov.bh) or by calling the company directly
  • - Offer arrived via WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media with no verifiable business identity
  • - Request to send passport or personal documents before signing a formal, stamped contract
  • - Job described as "easy" and "very high salary" with minimal qualifications required
What to do: Never pay any fee to get a job. Verify the employer and recruiter with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) at lmra.gov.bh. Request a formal, stamped employment contract before travelling. Report labour abuse and illegal recruitment to the LMRA helpline at 17506055.

Fake LMRA / NPRA Immigration Fee Message

critical

Scammers send WhatsApp, SMS, or email messages claiming to be from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) or National Passport and Residency Affairs (NPRA), stating that your visa, work permit, or residency is about to be cancelled unless you make an immediate payment to a personal account or via a payment link. The LMRA and NPRA only accept payments through their official portals; they never contact individuals by personal WhatsApp or demand immediate payment by bank transfer.

How to spot it
  • - Message arrives via WhatsApp, Telegram, or personal SMS — official notices arrive by email or the LMRA/NPRA portal
  • - Payment must be made to a personal bank account rather than through an official government portal
  • - Message creates extreme urgency: "your permit expires tonight" or "you will be deported tomorrow"
  • - Sender cannot provide a verifiable official Bahrain government email address or phone number
  • - Your actual status on the LMRA or NPRA portal shows no issue
What to do: Check your status directly on the official LMRA portal (lmra.gov.bh) or NPRA portal (npra.gov.bh). Call your employer HR department. Never pay through any link received by WhatsApp. Report to the Ministry of Interior at interior.gov.bh.

Fake Apartment Deposit Scam

critical

A highly attractive rental listing in Manama or expat neighbourhoods (Juffair, Seef, Adliya) is posted on Facebook Marketplace, property websites, or expat groups at below-market rent. The "landlord" is abroad and requests a deposit by bank transfer to "hold" the apartment before viewing. Rental demand in Bahrain's expat districts drives victims to move quickly, making this scam particularly effective on new arrivals.

How to spot it
  • - Rent is notably below comparable units in the same area
  • - Landlord is always "out of country" and unavailable for an in-person or video viewing of the actual property
  • - Deposit required before any viewing to "secure" the apartment
  • - Communication only via WhatsApp with a non-Bahrain number
  • - Listing photos appear on multiple different listings (reverse image search)
  • - Agent refuses to provide a verifiable tenancy contract before payment
What to do: Never transfer any money before viewing the property in person and verifying the landlord's identity against property documents. Use a licensed real estate agent registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA, rera.gov.bh). Report fraud to Bahrain Police at 999.

Bank OTP / BenefitPay Fraud

critical

A caller or SMS message impersonates your bank (National Bank of Bahrain, BBK, AUB, Ahli United Bank, or others), BenefitPay, a telecom provider, or even the police. They claim your account has suspicious activity and ask you to confirm your OTP, card PIN, or online banking password. Some calls use spoofed caller IDs matching your bank's official number. Once the OTP is shared, the fraudster drains the account.

How to spot it
  • - Any request for your OTP, card PIN, or online banking password over the phone — banks never ask for these
  • - Caller ID appears to be your bank's official number — criminals spoof legitimate numbers
  • - Urgent message: "your account will be frozen unless you verify now"
  • - Link sent by SMS leading to a login page — always navigate directly to your bank's app or known URL
  • - Request to "approve" a transaction on your banking app that you did not initiate
What to do: Hang up immediately. Call your bank directly using the number on the back of your card or the bank's official website. Freeze your card via your banking app if you have shared any details. Report to your bank's fraud team and to the Ministry of Interior (interior.gov.bh).

Investment Lock-In / Offshore Savings Plan Fraud

warning

High-commission financial products — including long-term "pension savings plans" sold by unregulated advisers — are aggressively marketed to expats in Bahrain. Plans often carry surrender charges of 100 % of the first year's premiums if cancelled early, and annual fees of 3–5 % that are buried in contract small print. Separately, outright investment fraud on social media promises guaranteed forex or crypto returns.

How to spot it
  • - Adviser approaches you through a friend, expat group, or workplace without you requesting advice
  • - Plan involves a long lock-in period (10–25 years) with heavy early-exit penalties
  • - Guaranteed high returns promised on forex, crypto, or "exclusive" offshore products
  • - Adviser is not registered with the Central Bank of Bahrain (cbb.gov.bh) or another recognised regulator
  • - Fees are vague or not disclosed in a clear written Key Features Document
What to do: Verify any financial adviser or investment firm on the Central Bank of Bahrain's register (cbb.gov.bh). Request a full, itemised fee schedule before signing anything. For genuine investment decisions seek independent advice from a CBB-licensed adviser. Report unlicensed firms to the CBB.

Phishing SMS / Delivery Customs Fee Scam

warning

A text message claims your parcel is held at Bahrain Customs and requires a small fee (usually BD 1–5) paid via a link. The link leads to a fake payment page that captures your full card details. Bahrain's National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC) issued an urgent warning in October 2025 about a sharp rise in such messages impersonating government entities.

How to spot it
  • - Unsolicited SMS about a held parcel — especially if you are not expecting a delivery
  • - Link is shortened (bit.ly, TinyURL) or does not match the official courier or customs domain
  • - Small "release fee" requested by card — official Bahrain customs fees are paid at the port, not by payment link
  • - Spelling errors or unusual formatting in the message
What to do: Do not click the link. Go directly to the official courier's website or app to check delivery status. Report suspicious messages to the National Cybersecurity Centre at ncsc.gov.bh.

Domestic Worker Agency Bait-and-Switch

warning

Unlicensed or unscrupulous domestic worker agencies quote a low placement fee but add hidden charges for visa, flight, insurance, replacement guarantee, or administrative costs after you commit. Some agencies charge replacement fees again if the worker leaves within a probation period, regardless of whose fault it is.

How to spot it
  • - Agency is not licensed — check with the LMRA (lmra.gov.bh)
  • - No written itemised contract showing all fees before you sign
  • - Cash-only payment requested with no official receipt
  • - Agency refuses to specify what happens and what the cost is if a placement does not work out
What to do: Use only LMRA-licensed domestic worker agencies. Demand a written contract itemising all fees before any payment. Report unlicensed agencies to the LMRA at 17506055.

Used Car Hidden Finance or Traffic Fines

warning

A seller does not disclose an existing bank loan on the vehicle, unpaid traffic fines registered against the car, or accident damage. Buyer drives away and is surprised to find the car cannot be registered in their name, or faces fines and legal action from the financing bank.

How to spot it
  • - Seller refuses to allow an independent mechanic inspection or a traffic-records check
  • - Price is significantly below market for the age and condition
  • - Seller is in a hurry and pushes for same-day payment
  • - Registration or mulkiya documents look inconsistent with the vehicle
What to do: Before purchase, check traffic fines and ownership records through Bahrain's eGovernment portal (bahrain.bh). Insist on a bank clearance letter if the car is financed. Use an independent mechanic for inspection.

Romance and Emergency Transfer Scam

warning

An online contact (often met on a dating app, LinkedIn, or Facebook) builds an emotional relationship over weeks, then presents a medical emergency, stranded-abroad story, or a business opportunity requiring urgent money. Expat communities in Bahrain, where people are far from family, are targeted specifically.

How to spot it
  • - Person you have never met in person declares deep affection very quickly
  • - Always has a reason they cannot video call or meet in person
  • - Financial request escalates — first small, then larger amounts
  • - Request for payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards
  • - Story is inconsistent or details change over time
What to do: Never send money to someone you have not met in person. Discuss with a trusted friend. Report to Bahrain Police (999) and to the social media or dating platform.

Reporting

Where to report: Emergency (police / fire / ambulance): 999 — Bahrain's single national emergency number. Ministry of Interior (crime, fraud): interior.gov.bh. Labour Market Regulatory Authority — LMRA (job and permit fraud): lmra.gov.bh, tel 17506055. Central Bank of Bahrain (unlicensed financial services, investment fraud): cbb.gov.bh. Consumer Protection Directorate — Ministry of Industry and Commerce (consumer disputes): moic.gov.bh. National Cybersecurity Centre (phishing, digital fraud): ncsc.gov.bh.

Consumer helpline: Consumer Protection Directorate — Ministry of Industry and Commerce: moic.gov.bh (free online complaint submission). Central Bank of Bahrain consumer protection: cbb.gov.bh (free). LMRA labour abuse hotline: 17506055 (free). Emergency: 999.