Fez Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Morocco)
Fez's ancient medina is a labyrinth where fake guides profit from getting tourists lost, and tannery viewpoint shop owners demand purchases after allowing visitors up to see the famous leather dyeing.
Other Scams scams are the most documented risk in Fez — 4 of 11 reported incidents fall in this category. See all 4 →
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
Unofficial Medina Guide Commission Maze
A friendly local offers to show you around the medina for free. After leading you through the maze and to several shops (earning commissions), they demand a large guide fee and refuse to lead you back to your hotel without payment.
📍Entrances to Fez el-Bali through Bab Boujeloud and Bab R'cif, along the main tourist corridors of Talaa Kebira and Talaa Seghira inside the medina
How to avoid: Hire licensed guides only through your riad or the official ONMT tourism office. Agree on price upfront. Beware of all unsolicited "helpful" strangers in the medina.
3
High Risk
7
Medium Risk
1
Low Risk
Fez · Morocco · North Africa
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Fez
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Unofficial Medina Guide Commission Maze
Entrances to Fez el-Bali through Bab Boujeloud and Bab R'cif, along the main tourist corridors of Talaa Kebira and Talaa Seghira inside the medina
Taxi Rigged Meter from Train Station
Outside Fez Ville Nouvelle train station (Gare de Fès) and the grand taxi rank on Avenue des Almohades, plus taxis approaching from the medina gates
Riad Impersonation and Fake Accommodation Booking
Near Bab Rcif and Bab Bou Jeloud city gates, and throughout the narrow alleyways of Fes el-Bali where tourists carrying luggage are conspicuous
Tannery Terrace "Free" View Then Pressure Buy
Leather goods shops with rooftop terraces directly overlooking the Chouara Tannery in the Chouara quarter of Fez el-Bali, accessible from Derb Chouara
Medina Deliberate Disorientation
Throughout Fez el-Bali, the world's largest car-free medina, particularly near Bab Boujeloud (the Blue Gate), around the tanneries, and in the Andalusian quarter
Carpet Shop High-Pressure Sales
Carpet and craft shops throughout Fez el-Bali, particularly along Rue des Teinturiers, in the Seffarine quarter, and the streets surrounding Chouara Tannery
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How it works
A friendly local offers to show you around the medina for free. After leading you through the maze and to several shops (earning commissions), they demand a large guide fee and refuse to lead you back to your hotel without payment.
How it works
Taxis outside Fez train station often refuse to use the meter, quoting flat tourist rates for city journeys that should cost MAD 15–25 metered; some quote MAD 100–150.
How it works
Touts near Bab Rcif and inside the medina approach tourists with luggage and claim their riad or hotel has closed, changed address, or is overbooked, then redirect them to a different property where the tout earns a commission. Some operate via WhatsApp before arrival, messaging guests of legitimate riads with fake notifications of closure and alternative addresses. Victims end up in lower-quality accommodation and may have difficulty recovering prepaid bookings.
How it works
Leather shops surrounding the famous Chouara Tannery offer free rooftop access to see the tannery panorama, but staff then aggressively pressure visitors to buy leather goods at inflated prices before they can leave.
How it works
"Helpful" strangers in the Fez el-Bali medina (one of the world's largest car-free urban areas) offer to show tourists around after noting they look lost. They deliberately take tourists deeper into the maze, then demand payment to guide them out.
How it works
After tea and pleasantries, carpet shop owners in Fez present a dazzling selection and use guilt, time pressure, and psychological tactics to push purchases at tourist prices that are 5–10× the factory price.
How it works
Shops near the famous Chouara tannery offer tourists access to their roof terrace (the best viewpoint) freely, handing out mint as a "gift" against the smell. After viewing, tourists are subjected to aggressive carpet-selling pressure and made to feel obligated to buy.
How it works
Vendors near the medina sell "pure argan oil" at low prices that is actually heavily diluted or mixed with cheaper vegetable oils. Genuine 100ml of pure argan oil should cost €15–25 minimum.
How it works
Market sellers and street vendors quickly pass change in smaller denomination notes than correct, relying on tourists unfamiliar with Moroccan dirham denominations to not notice the shortfall.
How it works
Restaurants lining the streets immediately inside and outside Bab Bou Jeloud — the main blue gate entrance to the Fes el-Bali medina — operate a two-menu system: one with reasonable prices shown to tourists before seating, another with inflated prices used for billing. Items not clearly listed, such as bread, olives, and mint tea, are added automatically and charged at premium rates. Bills 3–4 times the quoted total are common.
How it works
Taxi drivers and guides steer tourists to "authentic" traditional pottery factories, earning significant commissions. Prices at these factories are several times what identical pieces cost in medina craft markets.
Fez Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
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If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the North Africa region. Before visiting Casablanca, Chefchaouen, and Agadir, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Fez are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →