Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Jeddah, Makkah al Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia

All Topics about Jeddah All Cities in Saudi Arabia

1. Grand Mosque Scam

Avoid fake guides offering services inside the Grand Mosque. Always verify your guide's credentials.

Unlicensed Guides: Guides without proper authorization are not allowed to provide services.
Overcharging: Some unscrupulous guides may overcharge or demand additional payments.
Time-Wasting: Unlicensed guides may waste your time, keeping you away from other attractions.

Be wary of people offering to pay traffic fines on your behalf for a fee. Only pay at authorized payment centers.

Impersonating Police Officers: Scammers may pretend to be police officers to extract money from unsuspecting victims.
Falsely Accusing: Scammers may falsely accuse you of traffic violations to extort money.
Payment at Unauthorized Locations: Paying fines at unauthorized locations can lead to additional scams or fraud.

Bargain hard when shopping for gold in the Gold Souk. Prices can be inflated for tourists.

Tourist Pricing: Merchants may quote higher prices to tourists, expecting them to negotiate.
Low-Quality Goods: Some merchants sell low-quality gold in the Souk at high prices.
Unfair Exchange Rates: Scammers may offer unfavorable exchange rates for foreign currency.

Buy prepaid SIM cards only from authorized retailers to avoid sim card scams.

Unauthorized Retailers: SIM cards sold by unauthorized retailers may be tampered with or stolen.
Data Theft: Your personal data can be compromised if you use a SIM card with unauthorized access.
Fake SIM Cards: Scammers may sell fake SIM cards that don't work or have been tampered with.

Use authorized taxi services like Careem and Uber. Avoid hailing unmarked taxis on the street.

Unlicensed Taxis: Taxis without proper authorization may overcharge or refuse to use the meter.
Fake Drivers: Some unauthorized drivers may pose as taxi drivers and demand excessive fares.
Misrouting: Scammers may take longer routes to inflate the fare.

Avoid offering help with luggage at Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport. Only accept assistance from airport staff.

Unauthorized Help: People offering unsolicited help may ask for payment or lead you to scammers.
Fake Money Exchange: Scammers may offer fake money exchange services at the airport.
Tour Guide Services: Some scammers may offer tour guide services, attempting to extort money later.

Buy seafood from reputable vendors and check the freshness before purchasing.

Expired or Stale Seafood: Some vendors sell expired or stale seafood to unsuspecting customers.
Overpricing: Scammers may overcharge for seafood, especially when dealing with tourists.
Mislabeling: Some vendors may mislabel cheaper fish as more expensive varieties.

Negotiate prices at the bazaars to avoid overpricing. Some vendors may quote inflated prices for tourists.

Tourist Pricing: Merchants may quote higher prices to tourists, expecting them to negotiate.
Low-Quality Goods: Some merchants sell low-quality goods in the bazaar at high prices.
Unfair Exchange Rates: Scammers may offer unfavorable exchange rates for foreign currency.

Only eat street food from established vendors and avoid any foods that look suspicious.

Unhygienic Conditions: Some vendors may not adhere to hygiene standards, posing a health risk.
Contaminated Food: Scammers may intentionally contaminate food to make customers sick.
Overpricing: Scammers may overcharge for street food, especially when dealing with tourists.

Exchange currency only at authorized exchange bureaus or banks. Be cautious of street vendors offering unfavorable exchange rates.

Unfair Exchange Rates: Street vendors may offer unfavorable exchange rates for foreign currency.
Counterfeit Money: Scammers may provide counterfeit money as change.
Misrepresentation: Some exchange vendors may misrepresent the currency being exchanged.

Donate to reputable charities. Be cautious of people soliciting donations on the street or at attractions.

False Representation: Scammers may pretend to be charity workers, but keep the money for themselves.
Charity Fraud: Some charities are fraudulent and do not use donations for their intended purposes.
Overcollection: Scammers may collect more than the necessary amount or solicit multiple times from the same person.

Book guided tours through reputable agencies. Be cautious of unsolicited offers for guided tours.

Unlicensed Tour Operators: Tour operators without proper authorization may overcharge or provide poor service.
Falsely Accusing: Scammers may falsely accuse you of needing a guide and offer their services.
Overpricing: Tour operators may overcharge for their services, especially when dealing with tourists.

Only visit spas and massage parlors that are authorized by the Ministry of Health. Be cautious of unsolicited offers for spa treatments.

Unlicensed Spas: Spas without proper authorization may not adhere to health and safety standards.
Inappropriate Touching: Scammers may engage in inappropriate touching during spa treatments.
Overpricing: Unauthorized spas may overcharge for their services, especially when dealing with tourists.

Buy products only from authorized retailers to avoid purchasing counterfeit goods.

Low Quality: Counterfeit goods are often of low quality and may not function properly.
Health Risks: Counterfeit cosmetics, food, and medicine can pose health risks to consumers.
Legal Consequences: Possessing counterfeit goods can lead to legal consequences in Saudi Arabia.

Keep your SIM card receipt and avoid selling it. Scammers may offer to buy used SIM cards at a high price but refuse to pay later.

Unauthorized Buyers: Scammers may pose as authorized buyers to trick you into selling your SIM card.
Refusal to Pay: Scammers may refuse to pay for the used SIM card after the transaction is complete.
Possible Legal Consequences: Selling a used SIM card without authorization may have legal consequences in Saudi Arabia.