Ultimate Guide to Scams in Morocco: Protect Yourself from Tourist Scams
This post is written to help you avoid the most common scams in Morocco so you can travel with peace of mind. However, I’d like to start by saying a few things: this country is beautiful, most people are honest, and it’s definitely worth visiting on your next trip or vacation. So, let’s get straight to the point and talk more about scams in Morocco.
I’ll always remember the phrase from a super friendly Moroccan man we met in Rabat, which went something like this: “Ninety percent of the Moroccan population is decent and honest, but on the streets, you’ll always find some from the 10% who aren’t, so be careful!”
No phrase ever made more sense because, while it’s true that Morocco is an incredible place with breathtaking natural and historical beauty, and people are generally laid-back and honest, you might still encounter a few scams or tricks, which we’ll list below.
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These scams in Morocco stem from various social and economic factors, which I neither want nor can judge. My aim in this post is simply to keep you informed of these situations and, hopefully, help you avoid them. I hope the following guide will be useful on your next trip.
1. Fake Tour Guide– scams in morocco
Let’s start with the most common scam in Morocco that you might experience as a tourist: the fake tour guide. This scam can vary, but it generally follows the same pattern: you’re walking around a tourist spot, and a local approaches you offering to be your guide for a good price.
In other cases, they might start guiding you without you asking for anything. That’s when the scam begins, because this person won’t leave you alone until you give them some money for their “services,” and they can become very persistent or aggressive, depending on the location and how many people are around.
HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM
Simply avoid engaging with the person. Don’t talk to them, or if they start telling you about the place, ignore them. At most, say “thanks,” but make it clear that you won’t give them any money or that you don’t have any (in any language).
It might feel difficult to do this, but if you stand your ground, in 95% of cases, they’ll leave you alone after the first try. If you decide to use their services, make sure to agree on a price upfront that seems fair to you, and if they try to raise the price later, you can always tell them that if they don’t honor the deal, you’ll call the police.
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2. Henna Tattoos – Scams in Morocco
One of the most common scams in Morocco involves henna “tattoos” offered by some local women, especially in touristy areas—unless, of course, you voluntarily want one.
For the uninitiated, henna tattoos aren’t real tattoos, as they don’t involve needles; instead, they are designs made with a natural dye that stays on the skin for several days. Back to the scam: these women often try to start drawing on unsuspecting tourists who are taking pictures or standing in tourist spots, grabbing their arms.
Even if you don’t want the tattoo, they’ll demand money since the “work has already begun,” often shouting and creating a scene to embarrass you in public.
HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM
It’s simpler than you think: if you see these women and don’t want a tattoo, make sure to avoid letting them get close. If they’ve already started drawing, don’t give them money and tell them you’ll call the police.
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3. Pickpockets– Scams in Morocco
Pickpockets aren’t just a Moroccan issue; it’s a global concern.
In fact, I’ve yet to visit a country where you aren’t warned to be careful with your belongings on the streets or in public squares. In Morocco, pickpockets are mostly found in tourist areas and busy parts of big cities like Fez and Marrakech.
HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM
The best way is to stay aware of your surroundings and avoid keeping phones and wallets in back pockets or plain sight. Another tip is to carry only a small amount of money and just a few cards in your wallet to avoid major losses if a skilled pickpocket manages to steal from you.
4. Money Exchange – Scams in Morocco
Often, when arriving in a country for a trip, you might decide to exchange money once you’re there. And if you travel frequently, you know that while you can exchange money at airports, the exchange rate is typically not the best.
For this reason, many people (also in Morocco) prefer to exchange money once they’re in the city center. In Morocco, it won’t be hard to find people on the streets or in shops offering to exchange your money at a very favorable rate. However, there’s a risk that the money could be counterfeit, and once the exchange is made, these people may vanish, leaving you with nothing.
HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM
While I strongly recommend exchanging money within the city rather than at the airport, it’s safer to do so at government-regulated offices or even inside banks.
The street rate may seem better, but official exchange offices will give you genuine currency and usually provide a receipt, ensuring you avoid a scam.
Our advice: Wise is an excellent card designed to make your life easier when traveling to a foreign country that has a different currency than yours like Morocco. We always use your physical card during our travels and never had a problem, even in some of the most remote parts of the world.
5. Coin Exchange– Scams in Morocco
Here’s a scam in Morocco that, in my humble opinion, doesn’t make much sense, but I’ll share it with you anyway.
A person approaches you with coins—either in euros or dollars—and offers to exchange them for some dirhams at a rate that seems very favorable to you.
In this case, the coins may be fake, or the person might take your dirhams and flee with both their fake coins and your money, potentially threatening you as well.
HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM
Simply avoid these individuals and never exchange money on the street, no matter how favorable the deal seems, or how inclined you are to “help them out.”
Remember, anyone looking to exchange currency has an ulterior motive, and if they wanted to exchange it, they could easily go to a legitimate exchange office.
6. Tannery Scams– Scams in Morocco
This is a very common scam in Morocco, particularly in ancient cities like Fez or Marrakech.
There are two main versions of this scam: In the first, local people pretend to be official guides and offer to take you inside the tanneries for FREE to show you their traditions and the hard work involved. In the second case, people offer you a FREE view of the tanneries from a rooftop, which turns out to be a shop or restaurant.
Remember one thing: the word FREE in both cases doesn’t exist. These people will ask for money at some point (sometimes aggressively) or force you to buy something from their shops.
HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM
If you’re genuinely interested in visiting the tanneries, as we were, you can either hire an official guide (and feel more at ease) or see if you can take some pictures from the rooftops for a small tip or by purchasing a drink without buying anything else.
In most cases, they’ll leave you alone. Remember, the locals around (not tourists) are there to make money, and you are their target. If you act tough, they will likely respond in kind, making your experience uncomfortable.
Keep in mind that you’re not obligated to give money to anyone. However, for a few dirhams (without overpaying), you can get some nice photos and memories, and if you want, even purchase a unique piece. Just don’t forget to haggle.
7. Car Rental– Scams in Morocco
If you decide to travel to Morocco and visit remote areas, such as the desert, you will need to rent a car to move around comfortably.
And this is where the headaches begin because there are countless companies that rent cars at more or less affordable prices.
There are many scams and tricks related to car rentals, making it almost impossible to fully trust these companies.
From providing you with poorly maintained cars to charging you more at the end for damages you didn’t cause, to renting you cars that do not have the proper documentation (of course, without your knowledge).
HOW TO AVOID THE SCAM
For me, the best way to avoid these scams is to trust internationally renowned companies that offer you a clear and comprehensive contract. It’s better to pay a little more than to pay less and then have problems.
If you can’t find any well-known company, the second step is to ask your accommodation if they know someone trustworthy.
In any case, one very important thing you should consider, especially if traveling to a country you don’t know, is to get comprehensive insurance that covers you in case of accidents or damages.
I’ve read many comments and complaints from people who, by not getting this insurance, ended up spending much more at the end of their trips due to well-orchestrated scams or fraud.
Another thing to keep in mind when renting a car in this country is not to trust Google reviews in Morocco, as they are mostly manipulated (positively by the companies) and do not reflect reality.
Additionally, I advise you to read the rental conditions very carefully and ensure that they are written in a language you understand, as it may happen that the contract is in French (its second language) and not in English.
Other tips
When renting a car in Morocco, you must keep in mind that most rental businesses require you to clean the car yourself before returning it to the company, and naturally, if you don’t do it, you’ll have to pay much more. The same goes for the gasoline, which you should return full if the contract requires it. One last piece of advice (but not the least important) to avoid being scammed in Morocco with rentals is to take extensive photos of any damages the car may have before you sign the contract. Sometimes it’s better to do this process, even if you’ve purchased comprehensive insurance, to avoid potential issues when returning the car
8. Taxis scams– Scams in Morocco
Rather than calling it a scam specific to Morocco, it’s more of a global issue that you’ll likely encounter wherever you go (where ride-hailing apps are not available). Very few taxi drivers, when serving tourists, charge the correct fare.
They will always, ALWAYS, ask for more money, frequently an unreasonable amount. If you want to know more about the types of taxis in Morocco, take a look at the transportation section of this post.
HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM
There are a few ways to avoid this scam, such as using modern apps (if available in the country or region) or agreeing on a price with the driver before the ride starts. Remember that Morocco has two types of taxis: Petit and Grand Taxis.
Petit Taxis have fixed rates for moving from one place to another, especially outside the big cities. It’s a good idea to ask your accommodation or a local beforehand about the typical cost of a trip. Expect that you’ll need to haggle a bit, as the taxi driver may try to charge you extra, either for your luggage or simply because you’re a tourist. If you can’t get a fair price, it’s best to look for another option.
9. Overpriced Market Goods
One of the best experiences in Morocco is walking through its markets and browsing the local crafts and shops selling traditional items or souvenirs.
In general, you’ll find prices in Morocco much lower than in your home country, or wherever you’re living. However, every initial price a vendor gives you for anything you’re interested in will be significantly inflated.
Even if the price seems reasonable to you, you could still be losing a lot of money.
HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM
A key rule is to always negotiate the price, no matter what. Even if it seems cheap to you, the seller will often drop the price by at least two-thirds of the original amount.
Bargaining is a common practice in the country, and the vendor knows they’ll still make a profit even at a lower price.
The best way to avoid this scam in Morocco is to haggle and secure a better deal. If the vendor doesn’t lower the price, rest assured that you’ll find what you’re looking for at the next shop, as most sell similar items.
10. Fake Products – Scams in Morocco
Another typical scam in Moroccan markets is buying products that seem high-quality at first glance but are actually just well-made imitations.
Most often, these are beauty products like argan oil, spices, or food items such as saffron and olive oil. However, it could also be leather goods (a Moroccan specialty) or local crafts that, in reality, are mass-produced in China.
HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM
Avoiding this scam isn’t always easy, as it often requires knowing the product well and fully trusting the seller. As a general rule, avoid products that are too cheap or whose origins are unclear or distant.
For example, when it comes to argan oil, it’s much better to buy it on the Atlantic coast (where it’s produced) than in larger cities like Marrakech or Fez.
This is because, as an oil, it can easily be replaced with cheaper alternatives like sunflower oil. When it comes to crafts, while it may be tough to tell, trust your instincts and decisions, or at least ask a local guide or resident where the best places to buy these products are.
Remember that in Morocco there are still many artisans who produce their own fantastic pieces, and you can find real gems, so don’t give up.
11. The “Free” Helper
As mentioned earlier, finding something truly free, especially in Morocco, is rare nowadays. During your visit, it’s likely that someone will offer to help you “for free” with something, such as giving you directions, showing you the way to your riad, or helping with your luggage.
It’s sad to say, but in almost all of these cases, the supposed free helper always expects something in return for their “service,” whether you asked for it or not. In many cases, if you don’t tip them, they may become aggressive and insistent.
HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM
The best advice I can give is to avoid any contact with these individuals. I know it may be tempting to interact with a local, but if you don’t plan on tipping them for their help, it’s best to ignore and avoid them altogether.
If someone becomes insistent and demands money for a service you didn’t request, you can always threaten to call the police.
However, simply avoiding the interaction in the first place and telling them repeatedly that you don’t need help will usually be enough for them to leave you alone once they realize they won’t be able to get any money from you.
12. ATMs scam
A very common scam in Morocco, especially in big cities, is hacked ATMs that are rigged to clone your debit or credit card. While this can happen anywhere in the world, I remember receiving strange charges (in dirhams) just 10 minutes after trying to withdraw money from an ATM at Casablanca Airport.
Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Another example of this scam was at an ATM in Marrakech, where we saw two young men repeatedly using the ATM right after each tourist had tried to withdraw money.
Another coincidence? I doubt it.
HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM
The best way to avoid this all-too-common scam is to use prepaid cards exclusively for your travels, cards that can be locked and unlocked in seconds for secure transactions. During our travels, we use various cards, such as WISE, which not only have the features mentioned but also offer better exchange rates and lower fees than traditional banks. Other excellent alternatives are Revolut and N26, which also provide the same level of service and beneficial fees.
13. Double Prices menus restaurants
Honestly, this latest scam has not happened to us personally, at least that’s what we think ahah; anyway, we’ve heard people complaining about this type of trick.
Several restaurants, especially the more touristy ones, have two types of menus that they swap if they notice that their customers are not locals.
HOW TO AVOID THE SCAM
The solution seems very simple, but to avoid being scammed, you should steer clear of touristy restaurants, as they are designed to take advantage of tourists and not to offer quality food and service, as many might think.
Two other ways to avoid this type of scam are to review the menus in advance; if you see prices that are very high or more expensive than in other places, something should alert you.
Another option is to check the reviews on Google; while it’s true that some may be fake, you’ll always find some genuine ones with photos of the published menu.
Conclusions– Scams in Morocco
We’ve reached the final part of our post about the 13 most common scams in Morocco that you can now avoid if you follow all our advice.
I want to clarify that, although it’s true that you can encounter these scams (or others) in a country like Morocco, this doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s an incredible country worth visiting, as the locals are generally very nice people.
Scams, as you know, are part of the reality in many countries, and tourists, being outside their home and comfort zone, are always the most vulnerable. I hope this information and these tips help you have a wonderful vacation in Morocco.
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Do you know of other types of scams that readers and we should be aware of?
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