Morocco Scams: the Tricks to Know
Morocco is a safe destination, and the vast majority of Moroccans you meet are sincerely hospitable. But in very touristy areas, especially Marrakech and Fes, a few well-rehearsed tricks target rushed or disoriented travellers. Nothing dangerous: the goal is mostly to make you pay more than necessary. Here are the 12 most common traps and the simple habits that defeat them.
Scams in Morocco are mostly commercial and rarely dangerous. The most common: the fake guide who says the street is closed and leads you to a commission shop, the free tannery visit followed by a demanded tip, henna applied to your hand uninvited on Jemaa el-Fna square, paid photos of snake charmers and monkeys, the petit taxi without a meter and the overpriced airport taxi. The habits that almost always work: a smiling but firm no thank you, a GPS with mobile data so you do not depend on strangers, insisting on the meter in petit taxis (the 50% surcharge after 8pm is legal), a transfer booked in advance from the airport, and asking the price before every service. If something goes wrong, the tourist police operate in the major cities, and dialling 19 reaches the police.
The 12 Most Common Scams at a Glance
| Scam | Where | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Fake guide, the street is closed | Marrakech and Fes medinas | GPS, no thank you, official guide |
| Free tannery visit | Fes, Marrakech | Guided tour or price agreed first |
| Forced henna | Jemaa el-Fna square | Keep your hands back, refuse firmly |
| Snake and monkey photos | Jemaa el-Fna square | No photos without an agreed price |
| Petit taxi without a meter | Every city | Insist on the meter or change taxi |
| Overpriced airport taxi | Airports | Pre-booked transfer or fixed price first |
| Your riad is closed | Medina | Call your riad directly |
| Padded bill | Stalls and restaurants | Ask prices first, check the bill |
| Berber market, today only | Medinas | Ignore it, it is touting |
| Street money exchange | City centres | Banks, licensed bureaux, ATMs |
| Fake saffron, diluted argan | Souks, roadside | Cooperatives and reputable shops |
| Wrong change | Taxis, shops | Small notes, count carefully |
In the Medina
The Fake Guide and the Closed Street
The number one scam. A helpful young man tells you the alley is closed, the square is the other way or your riad is just nearby, then guides you... to a shop where he earns a commission, or asks for a tip on arrival. The fix: a smiling no thank you, I know the way, and a GPS with an offline map. For a real tour, book an official guide.
Book an official guided medina tour· GetYourGuide
The Tannery Visit
In Fes as in Marrakech, you will be offered a free look at the tanneries from a terrace, a sprig of mint in hand against the smell. On the way out, the visit ends in a leather shop or with a pointed tip request. Nothing illegal, but agree on the price first, or visit with a guide. See the Fes medina and tanneries.
Today Only, the Berber Market
A variation on the fake guide: an exceptional event, a cooperative closing tomorrow, a Berber souk once a week. It is almost always touting for a shop. Ignore it politely.
On Jemaa el-Fna Square
Forced Henna
A woman takes your hand and starts a henna design before you have said yes, then demands a high price. Keep your hands close to your body and refuse clearly. If you do want one, choose the artist and agree the price first.
Snake and Monkey Photos
A photo, even a quick one, of a snake charmer or monkey handler often triggers an insistent demand for money. Agree the price first, or skip it. The Barbary macaques on display are an endangered species taken from the wild: not encouraging the practice is also an ethical choice.
Getting Around
The Petit Taxi Without a Meter
In town, petit taxis must use the meter. Say compteur, s'il vous plaît as you get in; if the driver refuses or quotes an outrageous flat fare, get out and take the next one. Note that the 50% surcharge applied in the evening, after 8pm, is legal. See getting around Morocco.
The Airport Taxi
Outside the airport, the fares quoted to tired travellers are often well above the usual price. The simplest solution: a transfer booked in advance at a fixed price, or a price agreed before getting in. See arriving at Marrakech airport.
Book your arrival transferYou will be redirected to our partner GetTransfer.Your Riad Is Closed
A stranger claims your riad is closed, full or has moved, and offers to take you to another. Just call your riad: most send someone to meet you at the medina entrance, which also solves the fake guide problem.
At the Restaurant, in the Souk and With Money
- Padded bills: bread, olives, water or salads set down without being ordered may be charged. Ask the prices, especially at the Jemaa el-Fna stalls, and check the bill.
- Fake saffron and diluted argan: buy from a cooperative or a reputable shop. See what to buy in Morocco and how to haggle.
- Street money exchange: use banks, licensed exchange bureaux and ATMs. See money, payments and tipping in Morocco.
- Wrong change: carry small notes and count calmly.
The Best Habit: Mobile Data
Most of these scams exploit a lost traveller. With an eSIM and an offline map, you find your riad on your own, check a taxi fare and call your accommodation in seconds. See eSIM in Morocco.
What to Do if You Are Scammed
- Tourist police: present in the major tourist cities; in Marrakech, near Jemaa el-Fna square.
- Police: 19 in towns; gendarmerie: 177 on roads and in the countryside; civil protection and ambulances: 15; from a mobile, 112 also works.
- Keep a photo of your passport and your embassy's contact details. See safety in Morocco.
FAQ — Morocco Scams
What are the most common scams in Morocco?
Is Morocco dangerous for tourists?
How do you avoid fake guides in Marrakech?
Do taxis in Morocco have meters?
What number should I call if there is a problem in Morocco?
In Short
- In the medina → GPS, a smiling no thank you, an official guide if needed.
- In taxis → insist on the meter, book your airport transfer.
- In the souk and restaurants → ask prices first, check the bill.
To travel with peace of mind, see also customs and etiquette in Morocco and travelling solo as a woman in Morocco.
