Other Tourist Scams in Dubai, UAE
Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors. Below are the other scams scams reported in Dubai — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Abu Dhabi, Baku, and Petra.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
2
Other Scams Scams
11
Total in Dubai
How it works
Vendors in the Gold Souk and street markets sell items claimed to be 22-karat gold or genuine oud perfume at a special tourist price. The gold is often gold-plated brass and the perfume is a synthetic substitute. Fast transactions and distractions prevent close inspection.
How it works
In the Gold Souk in Deira, some vendors weigh gold jewelry inaccurately or calculate prices at above-market rates for tourists. Scales may be tilted or "making fees" added that are not applied to local buyers.
See all scams in Dubai
11 total warnings across all categories