Question 1

What is the "Street Vendor Counterfeit Alcohol Scam" scam in Yerevan?

Accepted Answer

Street vendors and small shops sell counterfeit or diluted alcohol labeled as expensive Armenian brandy or cognac. Tourists pay premium prices for bottles that are either fake or contain low-quality spirits. Some counterfeit bottles have contained harmful substances. Purchase alcohol only from licensed, established shops with clear business registration. Examine bottles for authenticity markers: proper seals, matching label fonts, and verified branding. If buying Armenian brandy, purchase from official distillery shops or major retailers like Carrefour.

Question 2

What is the "High-Pressure Art Gallery Purchase Scam" scam in Yerevan?

Accepted Answer

Smartly presented gallery staff on Northern Avenue and in the streets surrounding the Cascade arts district invite tourists into private galleries, ostensibly to view genuine Armenian paintings, ceramics, and sculpture. Once inside, staff use persistent social pressure — including claims of limited availability, artist introductions, and guilt appeals — to push visitors toward purchasing overpriced or mass-produced works falsely described as originals or limited editions. Some galleries charge an undisclosed "viewing fee" if visitors leave without buying. Visit only galleries that display prices clearly and allow unhurried browsing without a sales escort. The Vernissage open-air market on Saturdays and Sundays near the Cascade is a safer environment for browsing art and crafts at more transparent prices. If staff follow you room to room and discuss pricing before you have asked, leave immediately.

Question 3

What is the "Counterfeit Souvenir Goods" scam in Yerevan?

Accepted Answer

Vendors at the Vernissage outdoor market sell mass-produced items labeled as handmade traditional Armenian crafts — rugs, jewelry, and pottery — at inflated prices. Ask about the maker and production method. Genuine artisan goods usually come with provenance and are sold inside established stalls.

Street Scams in Yerevan

Street Vendor Counterfeit Alcohol Scam

High-Pressure Art Gallery Purchase Scam

Counterfeit Souvenir Goods

Experienced a scam here?