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Egypt
33 scams
Also known as the gift of the Nile, a trip to Egypt will bring you through gorgeous sweeping deserts as well as some of the most iconic structures in the world.
However, Egypt is particularly notorious for tourist targeted scams and many find these a challenge to deal with.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency number
- Police: 122
- Ambulance: 123
- Fire: 180
- Tourist police: 126
Travel guide
Unofficial guide and guard scams in Egypt
5 5How it works: Version 1: unofficial guides will ask to check your ticket, not return it and then proclaim themselves as your guide. You will be brought on a low…
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Camel and horse (caleche) ride scams in Egypt
6 1How it works: Opening: Claiming a camel ride/horse ride can help you enter attractions via a secret entrance and save on the entrance fee. Claiming that you can get closer…
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Cheap tours with hidden fees in Egypt
5 2How it works: Opening: advertising cheap tours with hidden fees is a common scam. Set-up: fees could include separate payment for food and drinks or transport at inflated prices. Places…
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Papyrus scroll museum scam in Egypt
5 0How it works: Opening: your driver recommends and brings you here, or a street tout claiming to be an Egyptologist/head of a Papyrus institute offers to show you how papyrus…
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Camel handlers photo scam in Egypt
5 1How it works: Version 1: pushy camel handlers will pressure you to take a photo of them with their camels. A fee is then demanded. Version 2: these camel handlers…
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Pyramids sound and light show ticket scam in Egypt
3 0How it works: Situation: at the show, there are only two categories of seats – VIPs and one open area. Set-up: scammers will claim that there are different tiers of…
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Luxor postcard scam in Egypt
4 0How it works: Opening: a local asks if you speak English. If you say yes, he will ask for your help in writing to a family member in your home…
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Helpful stranger shopping scam in Egypt
3 2How it works: Situation: a common scam is the appearance of a helpful stranger who helps you with a difficult situation, then brings you to a shop where he gets…
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Airport luggage porters in Egypt
2 1How it works: At Cairo airport, you may encounter unsolicited luggage porters who grab your luggage, carry it over a distance, then ask for an inflated tip. Places to beware:…
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Restaurant scams in Egypt
1 0How it works: Situation: Most food places are fine, it’s generally just a few bad eggs around touristy areas that spoil it for the rest. Set-up: Version 1: street touts…
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Price quote scams in Egypt
2 2How it works: Version 1: at markets, items usually do not have prices listed. Depending on how rich you look, different levels of inflated prices will be quoted. Version 2:…
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Saffron shopping scam in Egypt
2 1How it works: Opening: a local claims to be a chef at a five star hotel and is on the way to buying high quality saffron. He invites you along….
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Taxi scams in Egypt
2 6How it works: Version 1: white taxis are fitted with meters but some will refuse to use them and charge you an inflated flat fare – likely to face this…
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Property scams in Egypt
2 1How it works: Version 1: Opening: it is alleged that two English speaking women in Luxor perpetrate this scam, where they target tourists at tourist attractions/cafes with attractive offers for…
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Friendship gift scam in Egypt
1 0How it works: Situation: the African version of the friendship band in Europe (e.g. France, Italy). Opening: a local engages, then gives you a bracelet, claiming this is for ‘friendship’…
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