Common scams in Egypt

The scams you'll actually run into

1. “It costs more to get down” camel and horse rides

   At Giza you agree a price for a camel or horse ride; once you're up and away from the entrance, the handler stops and demands a much larger sum to bring you back or help you dismount.

   H.A.C.K. · Kill-Switch

   The move — Agree the full round-trip price in writing on your phone, pay half at the start and half back at the gate, and don't mount until that's clear. Better: book through your hotel.

2. The “free gift”

   A vendor presses a scarab, bracelet or “gift for your wife” into your hand or bag, refuses to take it back, then follows you demanding payment.

   H.A.C.K. · Comfort

   The move — Keep your hands closed and say “no, thank you” without taking anything. If it's in your bag, put it down on their stall and walk.

3. “Your hotel is closed / moved”

   A taxi driver or “helpful” man says your hotel has closed, is full, or has bad reviews, and takes you to one that pays him commission.

   H.A.C.K. · Authority

   The move — Call your hotel directly to confirm. Insist on the address you booked; a driver who won't take you there is the scam.

4. Papyrus and perfume “museum” tours

   A tour or driver includes a stop at a “government papyrus institute” or “perfume museum” — actually a shop with a hard sell and inflated prices for banana-leaf “papyrus” and diluted oils.

   H.A.C.K. · Authority

   The move — Tell your guide up front: no shopping stops. If the car pulls in anyway, stay in it.

5. Baksheesh ambush at monuments

   A “guard” waves you past a rope, points out a carving, or offers to take your photo in a tomb, then demands a tip and blocks the exit; some also try to get you to hand over your camera.

   H.A.C.K. · Authority

   The move — Decline any unrequested “help” from someone in uniform inside a site. Keep hold of your phone. A small note ends most of these if you're stuck.

6. Felucca and Nile boat overcharge

   A felucca captain quotes a per-hour price, then claims you agreed per person, or extends the trip and bills the extra time.

   H.A.C.K. · Comfort

   The move — Write the total price, duration and number of people on your phone and show the captain before boarding.

What these scams have in common

Most Egypt scams lean on Authority. Whatever the trick, the way out is the same three moves — Pause · Assess · Talk: stop before you pay, hand over a document or follow someone; ask what the request really wants; then say it out loud to someone you trust, or your bank on the number from your card.

Egypt travel-scam FAQ

Official travel advisories for Egypt

Fraud and scam wording pulled from the official Canadian and New Zealand travel advisories. Use the government sources for current travel decisions.

Scam guides for nearby destinations

H.A.C.K. — the four pressure tactics

Every scam on this page is tagged with the tactic it uses. Recognise the tactic, not the trick.

H Hurry

Urgency. A deadline, a countdown or a “right now” that leaves no time to check.

A Authority

Officialdom. A badge, a title, a uniform or an official-sounding request you feel you can't question.

C Comfort

Familiarity. A friendly local, a routine or an emotion that makes the request feel safer than it is.

K Kill-Switch

The cut-off. The moment you're pushed to pay, click, hand over a document or follow someone — before you can verify.

The way out of all four: Pause · Assess · Talk.