Egypt Scams: Online, Banking & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams in Egypt and how to report them to EG-CERT, the Cybercrime Unit hotline 108, and your bank.
Emergency number: 122 (police), 123 (ambulance) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Egypt faces online fraud including phishing targeting bank accounts and mobile wallets, investment scams, and social engineering attacks. The Egyptian Computer Emergency Readiness Team (EG-CERT) handles technical cyber incident response, and the Ministry of Interior's Cybercrime Unit operates the 108 hotline for reporting internet crimes.
For residents, mobile wallet fraud is the growth area: calls posing as Vodafone Cash or bank support harvest wallet PINs and OTPs, fake 'prize' and government-aid messages steer victims to phishing pages, and marketplace fraud runs through Facebook groups and OLX-style classifieds with non-delivery and fake payment receipts. Investment fraud has a long, painful local history of money-cycling schemes — informal 'deposit with the businessman for monthly profit' arrangements and pyramid-style operations that collapse and disappear with community savings — alongside modern crypto and forex platforms marketed via social media. Job fraud targets those seeking Gulf employment: fake recruiters and 'visa offices' charging fees for contracts that never existed; verify any overseas offer through official channels before paying anyone.
Visitors face one of the world's most rehearsed street-scam repertoires. Around the Pyramids, expect 'the entrance is this way' redirections to camel and horse touts, escalating ride prices mid-ride, and 'gifts' that become demands. Unsolicited 'guides' and 'guards' at sites expect payment; papyrus 'institutes', perfume 'factories', and alabaster workshops pay commission to whoever delivers you; taxis without meters require firm agreement in advance. None of this is dangerous, but firmness and pre-agreed prices are essential. When fraud costs you money, call your bank or wallet provider immediately, then report via the 108 hotline and file a police report — and for card fraud abroad, your home issuer's chargeback process is usually the practical route.
Common scams
- Phishing targeting Egyptian bank accounts and mobile wallets
- Investment and crypto fraud
- Social engineering calls impersonating bank officials or government agencies
- Online marketplace non-delivery
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging unofficial taxis and transport services
- Inflated prices at tourist sites and in tourist-area shops
- 'Papyrus shop' and perfume-factory commission scams
- Fake tour operators at airports and hotels
Online shopping scams
- Phishing and smishing impersonating Egyptian banks
- Fake online shops and ticket-booking sites
- Social media account takeover and impersonation
Job scams
- Fake job offers requiring upfront fees or document payments
- Task scams via messaging apps
- Fake Gulf-recruitment 'visa offices' charging for non-existent contracts
Romance scams
- Dating-app and social media romance with escalating financial requests
- Holiday romances continued online with visa and travel money requests
- Video-call blackmail ('sextortion') via social apps
Investment scams
- Fake forex and crypto trading platforms
- Community Ponzi and pyramid investment schemes
- Informal money-cycling 'deposit for monthly profit' arrangements
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if money was transferred
- Call the Cybercrime Unit hotline on 108 to report internet crime
- Report technical cyber incidents to EG-CERT at egcert.eg
- File a police report at the nearest police station or contact the Ministry of Interior
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Call your bank on its official hotline as soon as you realise what has happened, using the number on your card or in its app rather than any number sent to you. Egyptian banks can attempt to flag and hold a fraudulent transaction when they are told quickly, and the chance of stopping money falls as it moves on. For mobile wallet fraud, call the wallet provider's official customer care as well — reversals are sometimes possible if the funds have not been cashed out at an agent. Tell them plainly you were tricked into authorising the payment, ask for the receiving account or wallet number to be reported, and get a reference number. Never share a wallet PIN or OTP with anyone claiming to be support; if you did, change credentials immediately and say so in the report. File with the 108 Cybercrime Unit hotline and, for meaningful sums, a formal police report — banks will want the case reference, and foreign visitors should run card disputes through their home issuer in parallel.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
How do I report cybercrime in Egypt?
Call the Cybercrime Unit hotline on 108 to report internet crime to the Ministry of Interior. For technical cyber incidents involving infrastructure or systems, contact EG-CERT at egcert.eg. File a formal police report at your nearest police station for criminal matters.
What is EG-CERT?
EG-CERT is the Egyptian Computer Emergency Readiness Team, hosted by the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA). It monitors cybersecurity threats, provides incident response support, and coordinates with international CERT organisations.
Are tourist-area scams common in Egypt?
Yes, particularly around major historic sites. Unofficial 'guides' who approach tourists unsolicited often expect payment, and shops near monuments may offer inflated prices. Using licensed guides booked through your hotel or a reputable operator and agreeing on prices in advance are effective precautions.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance