Almost every first-time visitor to Morocco has a story about a helpful stranger who turned out to want money, or a "free" henna design that came with a bill. These moments are rarely dangerous, but they can be tiring and leave a sour taste after a day that was otherwise wonderful.
The good news is that most scams in Morocco follow a handful of well-worn patterns. Government travel advice from the UK, Canada, the United States and Australia describes many of them, and once you recognise the opening line, a polite refusal is usually all it takes. This guide explains how each one works and how to step out of it without a scene.
It is worth keeping perspective: the great majority of people you meet, from riad staff to shopkeepers, are simply doing their jobs. For the wider picture on personal safety, read our guide Is Morocco safe?.
The scams at a glance
| Scam | Where | Opening line | Polite response |
|---|---|---|---|
| False guide | Medinas, stations, near riads | "Where are you going? I'll show you." | "No, thank you, I know the way," and keep walking |
| "The street is closed" | Medina lanes | "That way is closed today, follow me." | Smile, carry on, or ask a shopkeeper |
| Tannery or shop detour | Fes and Marrakech | "Come and see the tannery, just to look." | Choose your own tannery terrace or go with a booked guide |
| Henna | Busy squares | "Free, just a small one for luck." | Keep your hands to yourself and agree any price first |
| Taxi fare | Cities, airports, stations | "The meter is broken." | Ask for the meter or agree the fare before getting in |
| Surprise extras | Food stalls and restaurants | Bread, olives or salads you did not order | Ask what is charged, send back what you do not want |
False guides and the "street is closed" line
The most common irritation in the older medinas is the unofficial guide. UK travel advice describes people posing as official tourist guides harassing visitors as common, and Australian advice says the same. The approach is usually friendly: someone notices you looking at your phone or pulling a suitcase and offers to show you the way, or tells you that the lane ahead is closed, there is a festival today or the square is the other way.
Follow them and you may be walked the long way round, steered past a friend's shop, and then asked for a payment that seems out of all proportion to a five-minute stroll. The "closed street" is almost never closed.
- Say no early and clearly. "La, shukran" (no, thank you) and a smile, while you keep walking at the same pace, is usually enough. Stopping to explain invites a longer conversation.
- Ask for directions yourself, from someone who did not approach you. A shopkeeper behind a counter, café staff or a family are good choices.
- Arrange your arrival. Many riads will meet you at the nearest car park or taxi drop-off, or send a driver to the airport or station. This avoids the most persistent touts, who wait where travellers arrive with luggage.
- Want a guide? Book an official one. UK advice recommends checking that a guide in a historic medina has an official badge, issued with permission from the local authority. Your accommodation can book a licensed guide for a half day, which is excellent value in Fes in particular.
The tannery and shop detour
The leather tanneries of Fes and Marrakech are fascinating, and this is exactly why they are a favourite destination for detours. A typical version: a stranger offers to take you to see the tannery "for free", leads you through a maze of alleys to a terrace above the vats, then on to a leather shop where the pressure to buy builds. When you try to leave, he asks for money for the "tour".
You do not need to avoid the tanneries. Go with a guide booked through your riad, or find your own way to a viewing terrace, and remember that looking does not oblige you to buy. If you realise you are being led somewhere you did not intend to go, make a polite excuse and turn back towards a main lane. Australian advice notes that intimidation is sometimes used to push customers into buying goods; if a situation feels uncomfortable, simply walk out.
Our Fes destination guide explains how to plan your time in the medina, including when a guided half day makes most sense.
Henna, photos and street performers
On busy squares such as Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech, a henna artist may take your hand, start a small design "as a gift" and then extend it and ask for a significant sum. A related misunderstanding happens with photos: snake charmers, dancers, animal handlers and even some shopkeepers often expect payment if you photograph them.
- Keep your hands close and say no if someone reaches for them. Do not let a design start until you have agreed the size and the price.
- For henna you will enjoy, ask your riad to recommend an artist rather than accepting an offer on the square.
- Ask before you photograph anyone, and expect to pay a small amount for performers. It is fair: posing for photos is how they earn a living.
- Think twice about photos with animals. Monkeys and snakes on the square are often kept in poor conditions, and paying for photos keeps the practice going.
Taxis
Taxi disputes are among the most frequent complaints. The classic version is a driver who says the meter is broken and quotes a high fixed price, especially at airports, stations and late at night. UK advice is simple: agree the fare in advance or make sure the meter is running. It also notes that petit taxi drivers often pick up other passengers on the way, so do not be surprised if you end up sharing the ride.
- Ask for the meter (le compteur) before you set off. If the driver refuses and you have not agreed a price, wait for the next taxi.
- Carry small notes and coins, so that "no change" does not become an extra tip.
- Be wary of ride-hailing cars. UK advice warns that many are unregulated and unlicensed and that passengers may not be insured. Australian advice recommends registered taxis, preferably booked through your hotel.
For train, coach and grand taxi options between cities, see our guide to getting around Morocco.
Surprise extras at restaurants and food stalls
At some food stalls and tourist restaurants, bread, olives or small salads arrive on the table unasked and later appear on the bill. Before you order, ask which items are charged, and send back anything you do not want. Choosing places with prices on the menu, or where local families are eating, removes most of the guesswork.
Shopping: fakes, swaps and inflated prices
Starting prices in tourist souks are often high, and haggling is expected. That is not a scam in itself, but a few tricks are worth knowing.
- Argan oil sold by roadside or street sellers may be diluted. Buy from a cooperative or shop you have researched, bearing in mind that not every place calling itself a cooperative is one.
- Fossils that look identical, mass-produced or too perfect are unlikely to be genuine, and rare pieces are never cheap.
- Designer goods sold outside official brand shops are almost certainly copies.
- Watch your purchase being wrapped. UK advice warns that scammers may swap the item you chose for an inferior one.
Compare prices in two or three shops before buying anything expensive, decide in advance what an item is worth to you and be ready to walk away with a smile. Our Moroccan etiquette guide has more on the courtesies that make bargaining pleasant on both sides.
Cards, ATMs and online romance
UK and Canadian advice both describe card fraud as common. Use ATMs inside banks or busy businesses, cover the keypad with your other hand, keep your card in sight when someone else handles it and check your statements for unfamiliar charges. Aggressive begging near cash machines is also reported, so be aware of your surroundings when you withdraw money.
The US, UK, Canadian and Australian governments all warn about internet romance and financial scams linked to Morocco. If you are travelling to meet someone you know only online, keep your passport, money and return ticket in your own hands. Australian advice adds that if you are scammed, you should get legal advice and not travel to Morocco to try to recover the money.
If something goes wrong
- Move somewhere public
Walk into a busy shop, café or your accommodation. Persistent touts usually lose interest once you are inside.
- Keep it calm
Raising your voice rarely helps. A firm, friendly refusal repeated a couple of times works better than an argument.
- Ask your riad or hotel for help
Staff can explain what a fair price is, call a reliable taxi or help you contact the police.
- Report a crime
The police number is 190 from a mobile phone. Keep a note of the time, place and any details, and contact your bank immediately if your card is involved.
The short version
Decline unsolicited help, arrange your arrival with your accommodation, book guides through people you trust, agree prices before anything starts and keep an eye on your card. With those habits, scams become a small part of a trip rather than its defining memory. If Marrakech is your first stop, our guide to where to stay in Marrakech will help you choose a base that is easy to reach.
The Morocco First-Time Visitor Guide
Everything you need to understand before your first trip, from money and etiquette to transport and safety habits.
See what's insideTravel details change. We review our guides regularly, but always confirm prices, schedules and entry requirements with official sources before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
