Jemaa El Fna Square is one of the main cultural spaces in Marrakesh and has become one of the city’s symbols since its foundation in the eleventh century. It has numerous stalls, most of which sell fresh fruit juice, especially to visitors who take photographs of the snake charmers who request a fee for a picture. Besides the fact that the place is original, it attracts many tourists making it the perfect spot for scammers. One was arrested and charged for overcharging a tourist for a photo with his snake for 450 Moroccan dirhams ($50).

The latest scam caused a big panic in the most famous Moroccan square when tourists bought a snake from the “Issawi” snake tamer for 400 dirhams ($44), and it escaped. The snake’s escape created a state of extreme alertness among the local authorities of Marrakesh, who tried to manage the state of terror among the tourists and passers-by.

After purchasing the snake at such a cheap rate, which the snake charmer got rid of in a heartbeat for a few dollars, he placed it in a wooden box which the tourists left in their car and continued their sightseeing. The surprise happened when they returned to their vehicle, and the snake wasn’t there. Then the news spread like wildfire, causing everyone to go into fear while the authorities intensified their efforts to find the infamous snake before it harmed anyone. 

They found it in the engine since the snake couldn’t make it far. Thank God! 

Moroccan police arrested the snake charmer and the two tourists who purchased the snake. Waiting for the next Drama in Jemaa El-Fna (that will be very soon), Moroccan Drama continues…

By Simo Ben