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Egypt (EG)

Egypt is one of the world's oldest civilisations — the land of the Pharaohs, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and the mighty Nile River.

Capital: Cairo
Region: Africa
Language: Arabic
Currency: EGP (£)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 22)
Emergency: 123
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Scam Warnings

Common scams targeting expats in Egypt.

Egypt is generally safe for expats but tourist and newcomer scams are common and sophisticated — particularly around major tourist sites, transportation hubs, and property listings. The key principle: if someone approaches you unsolicited offering help, "free" information, or an unusually good deal, maintain polite scepticism. Most Egyptians are genuinely hospitable — learning to distinguish authentic hospitality from commission-motivated hustling makes the difference. Use app-based transport, deal with licensed professionals, and never pay deposits without in-person verification.

"Papyrus Friend" and Shop Commission Scam

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A well-dressed local befriends tourists near the Pyramids, Khan el-Khalili, Luxor Temple, or Karnak and offers a "free" walking tour or an "authentic experience." The tour ends at a family papyrus, perfume, or alabaster shop where prices are 10–50× market value. Social obligation created by tea and hospitality makes refusal feel difficult. The same formula operates with carpet shops and "authentic bazaar" experiences.

How to spot it
  • - Stranger approaches near a tourist site offering help or directions you did not request
  • - Conversation steers toward "my uncle's shop" or "the best papyrus in Cairo"
  • - Shop has no visible price tags and staff quote prices in USD
  • - You are told this is a "special family price" or "price only for my friends"
  • - Accepted tea creates social obligation to make a purchase
What to do: Decline all unsolicited guide offers. It is acceptable to drink tea and leave without buying — Egyptian consumer customs do not legally obligate a purchase. For papyrus and crafts, use shops in official tourist areas where prices are displayed. Book walking tours through your hotel or a licensed guide service.

Taxi Overcharging and Fare Dispute

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Yellow cab drivers agree on a verbal price or say "OK" to your suggestion, then demand significantly more on arrival — claiming currency confusion (EGP vs USD), "extra charges" for luggage, or a different metre reading. Some meters are manipulated or run before you have agreed a destination.

How to spot it
  • - Driver is unusually eager to agree to your suggested price before negotiation
  • - Meter is "broken" — a very common claim in Cairo street taxis
  • - On arrival, driver quotes a much higher price than agreed
  • - Claims confusion between EGP and USD denominations
  • - Refuses to let you exit until you pay the inflated amount
What to do: Use Uber or Careem for all trips — fixed price, GPS-tracked, no negotiation possible. If using a street taxi, agree the exact EGP price before getting in, confirm it clearly, and photograph the licence plate. Have the exact amount ready. For airport travel, use authorised licensed taxi counters inside the arrivals hall.

Fake Police Officer — Cash Inspection Scam

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An individual in plain clothes or a convincing uniform claims to be a plainclothes police officer or security official. He asks to inspect your money for "counterfeit bills" or your bag for "drugs." In handling your cash, he swaps genuine notes for fakes or steals notes outright. Often works with a "colleague" for distraction.

How to spot it
  • - Unsolicited approach in tourist areas requesting to see your wallet or money
  • - "Official" who cannot produce a clearly verifiable police badge with photo ID
  • - Insistence on examining your cash rather than only your passport
  • - Claims of suspicious activity justifying inspection of your belongings
  • - Second person nearby acting as distraction or blocking escape
What to do: Real Egyptian National Police officers in public areas wear uniforms. Decline any request to inspect your money. Insist on being taken to the nearest police station — this ends most approaches immediately. Tourist Police (126) are the correct authority in tourist areas. Never hand your wallet to anyone for street inspection.

Giza Plateau and Sphinx Area Scams

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Around the Giza Plateau, aggressors offer "free" photos with camels, horses, or falconers that become extortionate fee demands once you are committed. Camel handlers help you mount before any price is agreed and then refuse to let the camel sit until you pay an exorbitant amount. "Official photographers" and unofficial guides also target visitors.

How to spot it
  • - "Free photo!" offers near any camel, horse, or falconer at the Plateau
  • - Handler assists you in mounting before price is agreed
  • - A guide attaches himself without being hired
  • - Someone claiming to be an "official site photographer"
  • - Demand for large tips after an unsolicited service
What to do: Book a licensed guide through your hotel or a reputable agency (EGP 300–800 for a half-day is a fair range). Agree all prices before any service, photo, or ride. Official camel rides from the designated tourist area have set tariffs — use only those. Ignore all unsolicited offers near the Pyramids.

"Closed Attraction" Redirect Scam

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A "helpful" local or apparent official tells you that your intended attraction — the Egyptian Museum, Karnak, Luxor Temple — is "closed today" for a government ceremony, private event, or restoration. He offers to take you to an "equally impressive" alternative, which turns out to be a commission-paying shop or lesser-known site charging inflated fees.

How to spot it
  • - Stranger proactively tells you an attraction is closed without you asking
  • - Alternative suggestion involves travelling with this person in a vehicle
  • - Story shifts if you check your phone for official closing information
  • - Person becomes persistent after an initial polite refusal
What to do: Ignore all unsolicited closure claims. Check attraction hours yourself via official websites or Google Maps. Walk to the entrance and verify directly — Egyptian tourist sites rarely close without advance public notice. Tourist Police at each major site can confirm opening status.

Rental Deposit and Property Fraud

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Fraudulent property listings on Property Finder, OLX, and social media offer Cairo and Alexandria apartments at below-market prices. The landlord is always conveniently "abroad for work." Deposits are requested via bank transfer, Western Union, or Vodafone Cash before any in-person viewing. The property does not exist or has a different legitimate tenant.

How to spot it
  • - Property priced 30–40% below comparable listings in the same area
  • - Landlord refuses to show the property in person before any payment
  • - Landlord is "abroad" and cannot meet in person
  • - Payment requested via Western Union, crypto, or Vodafone Cash (difficult to trace)
  • - Photos match listings on other sites when reverse-image searched
  • - Contract offered by email or WhatsApp without in-person signing
What to do: Never pay a deposit or any rent without physically viewing the property and meeting the landlord in person. Verify ownership by asking to see the title deed (tabu). Use reputable licensed agencies for premium properties. If victimised, report to Consumer Protection Authority (CPA): 19588 / cpa.gov.eg and the nearest police station.

Currency Exchange Manipulation

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Street money changers offer exchange rates better than bank rates and then shortchange, include counterfeit EGP notes, or use sleight of hand to swap lower-denomination notes during counting. Following the 2024 EGP stabilisation, the spread between official and unofficial rates has narrowed considerably, making suspiciously generous street offers a clear red flag.

How to spot it
  • - Rate offered is significantly better than licensed exchange bureaus or banks
  • - Money changer rushes the counting process or counts notes twice confusingly
  • - Denomination discrepancies discovered after the exchange is complete
  • - New notes with suspiciously perfect appearance (possible counterfeits)
  • - Pressure to complete the exchange quickly without counting
What to do: Use only licensed bank exchange counters, official exchange bureaus in hotels and airports, or authorised currency offices. Count all money carefully before leaving the window — do not accept pressure to hurry. If you receive a counterfeit note: do not try to spend it; report to the nearest police station.

Work Permit and Visa Agent Fraud

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Individuals or small agencies claim to guarantee expedited work permits, residence permits, or business licences for large upfront fees (USD 2,000–10,000). They use fake documentation, bribe money that is pocketed without results, or simply disappear with the advance payment.

How to spot it
  • - "Guaranteed" work permit for nationalities that do not normally qualify
  • - Upfront cash payment required with no official receipt
  • - Agent claims direct connections inside the Ministry of Manpower
  • - Prices far above official government fees (EGP 5,000–15,000)
  • - No formal contract on letterhead and no physical office address
  • - WhatsApp-only communication
What to do: Work permits must be processed through your employer — employees cannot apply independently. Use only GAFI-registered commercial agents for company establishment. Verify any agent's registration with GAFI (investinegypt.gov.eg) or the Ministry of Manpower before paying any fees.

Bank and Mobile Wallet Phishing

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Fake SMS or email messages claim your CIB, NBE, Banque Misr, Vodafone Cash, or Orange Money account has a problem. A link leads to a convincing fake website requesting account number, password, and OTP. Once entered, the account is drained. Investment fraud also targets expats via fake FRA-licensed platform websites.

How to spot it
  • - SMS or email from a generic number rather than your bank's official shortcode
  • - Urgent language: "Your account will be suspended in 24 hours"
  • - Link URL has a slight misspelling or uses a subdomain (e.g. cib-banking.verify.com)
  • - Bank or mobile wallet NEVER asks for your password or full OTP via SMS or email
  • - Investment platform not listed on FRA's verified register (fra.gov.eg)
What to do: Never click links in SMS messages from banks or payment apps. Navigate to your bank's official app or website directly. Report phishing SMS to your bank's fraud line and to the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA): 155. Change passwords immediately if you suspect compromise. Verify investment platforms at fra.gov.eg.

Fake Charity Collection

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Street collectors near tourist areas and upscale restaurants present clipboards, photos, and compelling stories about orphanages or disaster-relief charities. The organisations are fake; all cash goes directly to the individual collector.

How to spot it
  • - Unsolicited approach in tourist areas with a clipboard or printed form
  • - No official-looking documentation — just printed paper
  • - Cannot provide a verifiable charity registration number or website
  • - Cash donations only, no bank transfer or receipt option
  • - Emotional pressure and urgency about children or disaster victims
What to do: Donate only to verified Egyptian NGOs such as Resala Charity or the Egyptian Food Bank. Check the Ministry of Social Solidarity's list of registered NGOs. Never give cash to individuals collecting on the street, however convincing their presentation.

Reporting

Where to report: Emergency: Police 122 (verified), Ambulance 123 (verified), Unified emergency 112 (launched 2022). Tourist Police: 126 (for tourist-area incidents). Consumer Protection Authority (CPA): 19588 / cpa.gov.eg. Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) for investment fraud: fra.gov.eg. National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) for phone scams: 155. Nearest police station for all serious crimes.

Consumer helpline: Consumer Protection Authority (جهاز حماية المستهلك): 19588 — for fraud, defective goods, and consumer rights violations. Website: cpa.gov.eg. Open Sunday–Thursday business hours.