Tourist Scams in Kuwait

Unlicensed taxis and private car services outside Kuwait International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 quote foreigners KD 10-20 for journeys to central Kuwait City that should cost KD 3-6 on the official meter. Kuwait's airport lacks a transparent official taxi rank structure, making it easy for informal drivers to intercept arrivals.

How to avoid: Use the Careem or Uber apps (both operate in Kuwait) before exiting the terminal for transparent fare estimates. Official airport taxis have a rate card — ask to see it before entering. Confirm the fare in KWD before departure.

Third-party websites charge 50–150 USD to process Kuwaiti visit visas or business e-visas that travelers can obtain for free or at minimal cost directly through the official Kuwait Ministry of Interior portal. Some fraudulent services collect personal document scans and payment and then either deliver nothing or simply forward the application without any added value. Identity theft from uploaded passport scans is an additional risk.

How to avoid: Apply for Kuwait visas only through the official Ministry of Interior e-Services portal (evisa.moi.gov.kw) or through your country's Kuwaiti embassy. Never upload passport scans to unofficial third-party sites. Prices above the official government fee are a red flag.

Souq Al-Mubarakiya is Kuwait City's oldest and most densely visited market, and its narrow pedestrian lanes create ideal conditions for pickpockets, particularly during evening shopping hours and on weekends. Thieves typically work in pairs — one creates a distraction near a stall while another removes wallets or phones from bags and rear pockets.

How to avoid: Use a front-facing or zipped crossbody bag in the souq. Keep phones out of back pockets. Be especially alert near crowded food stalls and the spice market section, where foot traffic bottlenecks. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; use a card and keep a small amount of spending cash accessible.

Online and in-person agents in Kuwait City offer to process tourist or work visas, residence permit renewals, and labor transfer services at inflated fees, sometimes collecting payment and providing nothing. Kuwait's government has digitized most visa processes through the PACI (Public Authority for Civil Information) portal, making intermediaries unnecessary for most standard processes.

How to avoid: Use the official PACI online portal for residency and visa processes. The Kuwait government's e-government portal handles most standard procedures. Never pay an unlicensed agent for services available directly through government channels.

The gold jewelry section of Souk Al-Mubarakiya sells gold items labeled at specific karats (21K, 22K) where the actual gold content is lower than marked. Kuwait has an official gold testing authority (KFAS), but not all souk traders comply, and tourist purchases made under time pressure are vulnerable.

How to avoid: Purchase gold only from established jewelers who display current gold price boards matching the day's Kuwait gold rate, and who provide a stamped receipt specifying karat and weight. Request a purity certificate for significant purchases.

Short-term furnished apartment listings on international booking platforms and local Kuwaiti classifieds advertise properties in the Salmiya or Fintas districts that do not match photos, are significantly further from the city center than claimed, or are double-booked. Hosts sometimes demand full cash payment on arrival then refuse refunds when the property does not meet expectations.

How to avoid: Book only through platforms with a verifiable refund policy and documented review history. Video-call the host to verify the property before paying. Avoid listings with no reviews, professional-grade stock photos, or prices dramatically below comparable properties.

Unlicensed street money changers operating near Souq Al-Mubarakiya and in parts of the Farwaniya commercial district offer exchange rates slightly better than banks, then use sleight-of-hand to short-change customers, swap high-denomination bills for lower ones, or include counterfeit notes in the bundle. This is particularly common when changing USD, GBP, or EUR into Kuwaiti dinars.

How to avoid: Use only licensed exchange bureaus with a clearly posted rate board and a registered trade name, or withdraw dinars directly from an ATM. Never exchange money on the street regardless of the rate offered. Count all notes in full view before leaving the counter.

Near the perimeter entrances to The Avenues Mall — Kuwait's largest shopping center — and in surrounding informal shops along the Gulf Road, sellers offer counterfeit designer handbags, watches, sunglasses, and electronics that are presented as authentic discounted stock. Some sellers operate from cars or pop-up tables, claiming items are surplus from legitimate retailers.

How to avoid: Buy branded goods only inside The Avenues itself from authorized retailers. Goods sold from car boots, folding tables, or informal kiosks outside the mall are almost invariably counterfeit. Importing counterfeit goods can also create issues at customs when leaving Kuwait.