Question 1

What is the "Inflated Prices at Citadel Souvenir Stalls" scam in Erbil?

Accepted Answer

Souvenir vendors at the base of the Erbil Citadel (Qalat Arbil) and in the surrounding Qaysari Bazaar quote prices to foreign visitors that are several times higher than the local rate for the same items — typically Kurdish handicrafts, scarves, and copperware. When tourists attempt to bargain, vendors use emotional appeals about poverty or family hardship to prevent significant reductions. The premium for visibly foreign tourists typically ranges from 100–400% above local prices. Observe what local shoppers pay before making an offer, and aim to negotiate to roughly half the initial quoted price as a starting point. Bring a Kurdish or Arabic-speaking contact if possible to establish fairer pricing. Establish your maximum spend before engaging, and be willing to walk away — this is the most effective negotiating tool in the bazaar.

Question 2

What is the "Qaysari Bazaar Counterfeit Goods" scam in Erbil?

Accepted Answer

The Qaysari Bazaar, the historic covered market directly adjacent to the Erbil Citadel, sells counterfeit branded clothing, electronics, and goods labelled as authentic Kurdish handicrafts that are in fact mass-produced imports. Stallholders frequently claim items are handmade by local artisans or are genuine branded merchandise at a discount, when the goods are factory-produced counterfeits. Visitors paying souvenir prices for "authentic" Kurdish textiles or branded goods are routinely misled about provenance and quality. Buy Kurdish crafts only from stalls where the artisan is visibly working on the product or where the seller can explain the regional origin in specific terms. For branded goods, assume anything in the bazaar at a steep discount is counterfeit. Genuine handmade Kurdish kilims and textiles have irregular weave patterns and minor imperfections — machine-made copies are perfectly uniform.

Question 3

What is the "Fake Peshmerga Photo Fee" scam in Erbil?

Accepted Answer

At several military checkpoints and tourist viewpoints around Erbil — including on the road toward Duhok and near the frontline memorial sites — individuals in peshmerga-style military clothing approach tourists and offer to pose for photographs, then demand payment of $10–20 USD after the photo is taken. Some are genuine off-duty personnel supplementing income; others wear surplus military clothing with no official affiliation. Refusal to pay after the photo is taken can lead to an uncomfortable confrontation. Establish clearly before raising your camera whether there is a fee involved. At official memorials and military heritage sites, photography fees are posted; pay only at the official point. Avoid photographing active checkpoints or military installations regardless — this can attract genuine security attention beyond the photo-fee issue.

Street Scams in Erbil

Inflated Prices at Citadel Souvenir Stalls

Qaysari Bazaar Counterfeit Goods

Fake Peshmerga Photo Fee

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