$30 Hot Dog? NYC Vendor Ahmed Mohammed Caused Fights Over Wiener Prices

Anyone want a $30 hot dog? A New York City hot dog vendor named Ahmed Mohammed came under investigation for trying to rip off tourists visiting the World Trade Center. Overcharging for a product is technically a crime called larceny, but what had people so upset was that Ahmed allegedly was charging for a $30 hot dog on the basis of the tourist’s appearance. He also violated several rules enforced by the city and the Environmental Control Board.

In a related report by the Inquisitr, New Yorkers quickly realized that the $30 hot dog price was quite the scam since they knew what the going rate really was in NYC.

“I said, ‘What are you, a crook?’ ” commented David, who has an accent, to NBC 4 New York. “I’m not a tourist, so I know the price in New York.”

“I just felt like I was getting ripped off, and it’s just making the 9/11 grounds like a big tourist trap,” one woman near the stall said.

When Ahmed was asked about his crazy high prices, he blamed his competition down the block.

“It’s the guy on the corner. He overcharges people. It bothers me… I’m trying to lead the vendors to do the right thing and obey the law.”

The Alliance for Downtown New York became involved once fights started breaking out over the $30 hot dog. There were even instances where customers were charged anywhere from $15 to $30 for a pretzel or a hot dog. Some customers were so irate at the price that one took his half-eaten hot dog and threw it at Ahmed’s face once he was told the price.

“Five times since May 13 where we’ve observed altercations on the street over the prices being charged for hot dogs, pretzels, water, soda,” said Ron Wolfgang, who is in charge of security for the Alliance. Another rep named Jessica Lappin added, “It gives New York a bad name.”

Ahmed Mohammed also broke other rules with his $30 hot dog. NYC requires that vendors list their prices clearly and the hot dog vendor was issued two summons notices for failing to do so. He was also wanted for two Environmental Control Board violations.

Fortunately, NYC tourists are now free from the threat of the $30 hot dog. The owner of the food cart, Abdelalim Abdelbaky, caught wind of the scam once it went viral and immediately fired his smooth-talking hot dog salesman.

“I told Ahmed the prices and everything before he started,” Abdelbaky explained, according to the NY Daily News. “Then as soon as I saw what had happened I fired him.”

Abdelbaky also revealed that his man had only worked at the stand for two weeks, but he’d hired Ahmed in the first place because he’s the brother of a close friend.

“The guy is not normal,” Abdelbaky said. “He has to take medicine. He can’t get work anywhere, so I gave him a job.”

The cart now clearly lists all of the prices on a sign. Instead of a $30 hot dog, the price is now $2.50 and it is also possible to purchase a combo deal for $3.99, which includes both water and two hot dogs. But Abdelbaky is likely to be stuck paying the fines for his stand’s violations, which range from $200 to $1,000.

[Image via Susan Watts / New York Daily News]