Scam in BahrainShopping
Imitation branded watches in souqs in Bahrain
How it works
Souqs sell watches described as “rolexes”. Treat these as a warning about authenticity. Negotiating a price does not establish that a branded item is genuine.
Warning signs
- A market watch is presented as a luxury branded item without reliable proof of authenticity.
How to avoid it
- Do not assume a branded watch sold in a souq is genuine.
- If authenticity matters, verify it before paying.
- Agree on the price and exactly what you are buying.
If it happens to you
Keep the receipt and any claims the seller made. Ask the seller for a refund if the item was misrepresented.
- Get somewhere safe. Do not chase a thief or continue a heated dispute.
- Check what is missing. Freeze stolen cards and contact your card issuer about any unauthorised payments.
- Save receipts, booking records, messages and screenshots. Write down the time, location and relevant vehicle or business details.
- Report theft, threats or an unresolved taxi dispute to police. For hotel theft, also notify hotel management and request that relevant records be preserved.
- Ask for a report reference or written record. Contact your insurer and provide the evidence it requests.
- If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate about replacement documents.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Travel blog2018Manama Souq Tour – Bab al BahrainThe writer described seeing fake watches, including imitation Rolexes, for sale near the entrance to Manama Souq.Read on Travel blog
- TripadvisorTripadvisor traveller reviews2015Bab el-Bahrain Souk - All You SHOULD Know Before Going 2026 (with Reviews)A traveller reviewing the souq described it as a place where fake watches were readily available.Read on Tripadvisor
Questions
What is the imitation branded watches in souqs scam in Bahrain?
Souqs sell watches described as “rolexes”. Treat these as a warning about authenticity. Negotiating a price does not establish that a branded item is genuine.
How can I spot it early?
A market watch is presented as a luxury branded item without reliable proof of authenticity.
How do I avoid imitation branded watches in souqs in Bahrain?
Do not assume a branded watch sold in a souq is genuine. If authenticity matters, verify it before paying. Agree on the price and exactly what you are buying.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Keep the receipt and any claims the seller made. Ask the seller for a refund if the item was misrepresented.
Where in Bahrain does this happen?
Local souqs.
How common is this scam in Bahrain?
Occasional. Bahrain has a fairly low crime rate, and violent crime is rare. Visitors should watch for taxi overcharging, poor hotel exchange rates, pickpocketing and bag snatching in old markets, and theft from hotel rooms.
Who can I report it to?
Police: report theft, robbery or threats. Police can also help with a taxi driver who refuses to resolve a fare or meter dispute. Police station on Exhibition Avenue: go to the station if you need police help while in the Exhibition Avenue area near Hoora. Hotel management: report room theft or an exchange-rate dispute promptly. For theft, ask staff to preserve relevant security footage and room-access records. Taxi operator or booking service: use the contact details in your booking to report overcharging. Include the trip record, vehicle details and receipt. Card issuer: use your banking app or the issuer's official contact channel to freeze a stolen card and report unauthorised transactions. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's official consular service if your passport is stolen or you need help replacing travel documents. Travel insurer: report the loss through your insurer's official claims channel. Keep police report details, receipts and evidence of ownership.
Reviewed by @snuck