
Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Marrakech, Morocco
1. Jemaa el-Fnaa Square Scam
Avoid fake guides pretending to be helpful. They will lead you to overpriced shops and restaurants.
- Fake Guides: Guides who claim to be official but are not.
- Overpriced Shops: Shops offering overpriced goods due to their location.
- Obligatory Restaurants: Restaurants requiring a minimum spend in return for 'help' with directions.
2. Snake Charmer Scam
Beware of snake charmers asking for money. The snakes are often mistreated and their performances can be misleading.
- Mistreated Animals: Animals being treated cruelly for entertainment.
- Misleading Performances: Performances designed to distract visitors from their belongings.
- Begging: Charmers asking for money after the performance.
3. Monkey Handlers Scam
Avoid monkey handlers offering photos. The animals are often mistreated and their handling can lead to theft.
- Mistreated Animals: Animals being treated cruelly for entertainment.
- Theft: Thieves using the distraction of handling monkeys to steal from visitors.
- Overcharging: Photographers charging excessive prices for pictures with the animals.
4. Henna Tattoo Scam
Be cautious when getting a henna tattoo. Some artists use low-quality dye or demand extra money for 'tips'.
- Low-Quality Dye: Artists using inferior quality dye that does not last.
- Extra Charges: Artists demanding extra money after the tattoo is applied.
- Unregistered Artists: Artists who are not registered and do not follow hygiene standards.
5. Taxi Scam
Always agree on a price before getting into a taxi. Some drivers may try to overcharge or take longer routes.
- Overcharging: Drivers charging more than agreed upon.
- Longer Routes: Drivers taking longer routes to increase fare.
- Unlicensed Taxis: Taxis without official licenses operating illegally.
6. Fake Currency Exchange Scam
Only exchange money at legitimate exchange offices. Some people may offer to exchange currency informally and give back less than agreed upon.
- Giving Less Than Agreed: Exchangers giving back less than agreed upon.
- Unlicensed Exchangers: People without official licenses conducting exchanges illegally.
- Fraudulent Notes: Exchanging counterfeit money for real.
7. Bargain Shopping Scam
Be careful when bargaining in markets. Some shopkeepers may pretend to reduce the price but end up charging the original amount.
- Pretending to Reduce Price: Shopkeepers giving the impression of a price reduction but not following through.
- Low-Quality Goods: Selling low-quality goods at inflated prices.
- Unaffordable Prices: Prices that are unreasonably high for the quality of the goods.
8. Rose Sellers Scam
Be wary of rose sellers who approach you aggressively. They may demand payment for roses that were not initially agreed upon.
- Aggressive Approach: Rose sellers approaching visitors aggressively.
- Demanding Payment: Sellers demanding payment for roses that were not initially agreed upon.
- Overpriced Roses: Roses being sold at inflated prices.
9. Hotel Room Scam
Book your hotel room in advance and avoid agents who offer hotel rooms at lower prices. Some hotels may overcharge or provide poor quality rooms.
- Overcharging: Hotels charging more than the standard rate.
- Poor Quality Rooms: Rooms that do not meet the expected quality or standards.
- Unlicensed Agents: Agents who are not authorized to sell hotel rooms.
10. Dinner Invitations Scam
Be cautious when accepting dinner invitations from strangers. They may attempt to overcharge for the meal or ask for money afterwards.
- Overpriced Meals: Strangers charging excessive prices for the meal.
- Asking for Money: Strangers asking for money after the dinner is over.
- Unsafe Locations: Dinner locations that may not be safe or hygienic.
11. ATM Scam
Use ATMs inside banks or reputable locations. Some ATMs may skim cards or charge excessive fees.
- Card Skimming: ATMs equipped with card skimming devices.
- Excessive Fees: ATMs charging higher fees than usual.
- Fraudulent Transactions: Unauthorized transactions made with your card after using the ATM.
12. Tour Operator Scam
Choose reputable tour operators and book tours in advance. Some operators may overcharge, provide poor service, or cancel tours unexpectedly.
- Overcharging: Tour operators charging more than the standard rate.
- Poor Service: Tours that do not meet the expected quality or standards.
- Cancellations: Tours being cancelled unexpectedly.
13. Car Rental Scam
Only rent cars from reputable companies. Some car rental agencies may provide cars in poor condition or overcharge.
- Poor Condition Cars: Cars that are not well-maintained or in safe driving condition.
- Overcharging: Car rental agencies charging more than the standard rate.
- Unclear Contracts: Rental contracts that are unclear or have hidden fees.
14. Water Vendor Scam
Beware of bottled water vendors who offer contaminated water. Always buy bottled water from reputable sources.
- Contaminated Water: Water that is not safe to drink due to contamination.
- Overpricing: Vendors charging excessive prices for bottled water.
- Unlicensed Vendors: Vendors without official licenses operating illegally.
15. Street Performers Scam
Appreciate street performers but do not feel obligated to give money. Some performers may demand payment or insist on photos in exchange for 'tips'.
- Demanding Payment: Performers demanding payment after the performance.
- Insisting on Photos: Performers insisting on taking photos in exchange for 'tips'.
- Poor Quality Performance: Performances that do not meet the expected quality or standards.