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Curaçao (CW)

Curaçao is a Dutch Caribbean island of approximately 160,000 people situated 65km north of Venezuela, outside the Atlantic hurricane belt.

Capital: Willemstad
Region: Americas
Language: Papiamentu
Currency: XCG (Cg)
Cost of living: Moderate (index 68)
Emergency: 911
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Scam Warnings

Common scams targeting expats in Curaçao.

Curaçao is generally safe for expats and tourists, but its offshore financial reputation and tight rental market attract specific fraud patterns. The three golden rules: never pay a deposit before viewing a property in person; verify any investment adviser with the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) at centralbank.cw before transferring a single cent; and use only Orde van Advocaten-registered lawyers for immigration and legal matters. Curaçao is NOT part of the EU or SEPA — its currency is the Caribbean Guilder (XCG), pegged to the US dollar. The small community (about 160,000 people) means fraud quickly becomes known — consult the Curaçao Expats Facebook group before any major financial transaction.

Rental Deposit Fraud

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Fraudsters post attractive rental properties on Scooploop, Facebook Marketplace, and Marktplaats at below-market prices. They collect a deposit or first/last month's rent — sometimes months of rent upfront — then disappear. The property either does not exist or belongs to someone else. Especially targets new arrivals searching for accommodation before they land on the island.

How to spot it
  • - Price is significantly below market rate for the area and size
  • - Landlord is "abroad" or overseas and cannot show the property in person
  • - Payment requested via money transfer (Western Union, MoneyGram, crypto) rather than traceable bank transfer
  • - Urgency pressure — "other people are interested, pay now or lose it"
  • - Photos are duplicated across multiple listings or look like stock images (check with reverse image search)
What to do: Always view the property in person before paying any money. Verify ownership at the Kadaster (land registry) before signing anything. Pay deposits only by traceable bank transfer. Report to Korps Politie Curaçao (911 for emergencies, 917 non-emergency) and post a warning in the Curaçao Expats Facebook group.

Contractor / Builder Fraud

critical

Unlicensed contractors take large upfront deposits for construction, renovation, pool maintenance, or AC installation — then do poor quality work, disappear mid-job, or keep demanding extra payments without completing the work. Particularly common among newly arrived expats who lack established local contacts.

How to spot it
  • - No written contract or detailed scope of work is offered
  • - Demands more than 30% deposit upfront before any work starts
  • - Cannot provide verifiable references or a portfolio of completed local projects
  • - Quote is extremely low compared to multiple other estimates
  • - Pressure to sign or pay immediately without time to verify
What to do: Always get at least three written quotes. Never pay more than 30% upfront — link remaining payments to verifiable completion milestones. Use contractors recommended by the established expat community. Insist on a signed written contract with scope of work, timeline, and payment schedule.

Immigration Agent Fraud

critical

Unofficial "visa agents" offer to process VVA permits, work permits, or permanent residency for exorbitant fees while providing no legitimate service — sometimes submitting fraudulent applications or providing false documentation. Curaçao immigration is handled by DIMAS (Dienst Immigratie) and does not require an agent for standard applications.

How to spot it
  • - Claims to have insider "connections" at DIMAS or can guarantee faster processing
  • - Guarantees visa or permit approval — no legitimate agent can do this
  • - Requests cash payment only and provides no formal receipt
  • - Is not a registered advocaat (lawyer) listed with the Orde van Advocaten Curaçao
  • - Cannot provide a written service agreement with clear deliverables
What to do: Use only advocaten (lawyers) registered with the Orde van Advocaten Curaçao for immigration legal assistance. Many DIMAS applications can be submitted directly without an agent. Report fraudulent agents to DIMAS and to Korps Politie Curaçao (polis.cw).

Offshore Investment / Ponzi Schemes

critical

Curaçao's offshore financial sector history attracts fraudulent investment schemes — fake funds, Ponzi schemes, and unlicensed financial advisers promising guaranteed high returns of 8–20%+ annually with no risk. The CBCS has issued multiple public warnings about unlicensed platforms (including operations trading under names like "Curaçao Forex") targeting residents and expats.

How to spot it
  • - Promises of guaranteed high returns (8–20% annually) with no risk
  • - Investment vehicle is not registered or licensed with the CBCS
  • - Pressure to invest quickly before "offer closes" or "slots fill up"
  • - Difficult to understand exactly what you are investing in or where the money goes
  • - Financial adviser cannot provide a valid CBCS licence number
What to do: Verify any financial product and adviser in the CBCS licence register at centralbank.cw before transferring any money. Never invest in unregistered products. Report suspected fraud to CBCS (+5999 434 5500 / info@centralbank.cw). Remember: Curaçao is NOT part of SEPA — do not assume EU consumer protections apply.

Vehicle Purchase Fraud

warning

Sellers misrepresent the condition, import status, or ownership of used vehicles. Clocked odometers, undisclosed accident history, outstanding liens, or vehicles with unclear title are common in the local used-car market. Some sellers use third-party "selling on behalf of a friend" arrangements to distance themselves from liability.

How to spot it
  • - Price significantly below market value with no clear explanation
  • - Seller reluctant to show original import documentation (invoervergunning)
  • - Chassis number or VIN does not match paperwork
  • - Seller is a third party "selling on behalf of a friend" who cannot be contacted
  • - Cash-only payment demanded with no written receipt
What to do: Verify vehicle title and ownership at the Verkeersdienst (Traffic Department / RDW Curaçao) before purchase. Get an independent mechanic inspection (budget XCG 100–200). Insist on seeing original import and ownership documents. Pay via bank transfer for traceability.

Phone and WhatsApp Phishing

warning

Fraudsters impersonate local banks (MCB Bank, RBC), government offices (Belastingdienst Curaçao, DIMAS), or utility companies (Aqualectra, UTS) via phone call or WhatsApp to extract account details, one-time password (OTP) codes, or login credentials. Caller ID spoofing makes calls appear to come from legitimate numbers.

How to spot it
  • - Unexpected call or WhatsApp message claiming there is an urgent account issue or security alert
  • - Caller asks for your one-time password (OTP), PIN, or online banking credentials
  • - Caller creates extreme urgency — "act in the next 10 minutes or your account is frozen"
  • - Requests money be transferred to a "safe account" to "protect" your funds
What to do: No legitimate bank or government body will ever ask for your OTP or password by phone, SMS, or WhatsApp. Hang up immediately and call the institution directly using the number on their official website. Report to Korps Politie Curaçao (polis.cw) and to your bank if credentials were shared.

Short-Term Rental Hidden Fees

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Some short-term vacation rental hosts (Airbnb, VRBO, informal listings) add fees not disclosed upfront — cleaning charges, pool maintenance fees, or tourist taxes not included in the advertised price. Some informal listings raise additional charges on arrival or after the stay has begun.

How to spot it
  • - Total cost is significantly higher than the displayed nightly rate after all fees are applied
  • - Additional charges are raised verbally after arrival or during the stay
  • - Verbal promises made before booking are not reflected in the written booking confirmation
What to do: Always confirm the total all-inclusive cost in writing before committing. Book through platforms with built-in buyer protection and dispute resolution. Dispute undisclosed charges via the platform's resolution process. Note that Curaçao has a Room Tax (OB) on short-term rentals — verify this is included in the quoted price.

Reporting

Where to report: Korps Politie Curaçao (KPC): 911 (emergency) or 917 (non-emergency) — polis.cw. Financial fraud / unlicensed investments: Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) at centralbank.cw or +5999 434 5500. Immigration fraud: DIMAS (Dienst Immigratie). Consumer complaints: Stichting Consumenten Belangen Curaçao at consumentenbelangencuracao.com (+5999 788 9910).

Consumer helpline: Stichting Consumenten Belangen Curaçao: +5999 788 9910 / consumentenbelangencuracao.com (independent consumer foundation, free advisory service)