Eid al-Adha Sheep Markets in Morocco: Buyers Warned of Scam Tactics

Taking advantage of the information published by traditional media and social networks on the soaring prices of sheep, the intermediaries, also known as "chenakka", find tricks to cheat or even defraud Eid al-Adha sheep buyers. One of the strategies is to create crowds around scattered sellers with half a dozen sheep each, bidding against each other to be the lucky buyer of one of these animals, explains Assabah. This scene that captures attention is actually aimed at tricking the real buyer, as the people around the sellers are nothing but accomplices. The buyer stops and negotiates the purchase. He finds himself trapped and thus scammed. The purchase of the sheep can cost him up to 7,000 dirhams instead of 4,000.

Another trick: a concerted agreement on very high prices between breeder-sellers and intermediaries. Together, they spot a target. Their accomplices show up and pretend to be potential buyers. "They negotiate tightly to get a lower price, while praising the qualities of the animal, the real buyer is encouraged, shows more interest and as soon as they feel he is ready, one of the fake buyers withdraws, advising him not to miss the opportunity," according to the daily. In the end, they serve the buyer the magic phrase: "I wanted it for myself, but God wanted it for you. Come on, you were able to get the best on the market."