Scam in EgyptHotels and rooms
Drink spiking by accommodation touts or staff in Egypt
How it works
There have been reports of women being given spiked drinks by hotel touts or staff and then sexually assaulted.
Warning signs
- An accommodation tout or staff member offers a drink you cannot watch being prepared or opened.
- You suddenly feel much more confused, sleepy or unwell than expected.
How to avoid it
- Choose accommodation before arrival where possible.
- Keep control of your drink and decline one you cannot trust.
- Check that your room has a secure lock and no suspicious viewing holes.
- Leave if staff behaviour or the room makes you feel unsafe.
If it happens to you
Get to a safe place with someone you trust and seek urgent medical help. Call 123 for an ambulance if needed. You can also contact police, your insurer and your embassy or consulate.
- Get to a safe, public place. End the interaction calmly and do not chase a thief.
- Check whether anyone needs medical help. Call 123 for an ambulance if there is an urgent medical problem.
- Block missing cards and report unauthorised payments to your card issuer. Secure affected accounts and a stolen phone.
- Save receipts, booking details, messages and payment records. Write down the time, location, amount and any vehicle or seller details.
- Report crime to police or a Tourism Police kiosk in a tourist area. Call 122 if you need urgent police assistance, and ask for a report reference.
- Contact your insurer, booking platform or transport operator as relevant. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is missing or you need consular help.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
Questions
What is the drink spiking by accommodation touts or staff scam in Egypt?
There have been reports of women being given spiked drinks by hotel touts or staff and then sexually assaulted.
How can I spot it early?
An accommodation tout or staff member offers a drink you cannot watch being prepared or opened. You suddenly feel much more confused, sleepy or unwell than expected.
How do I avoid drink spiking by accommodation touts or staff in Egypt?
Choose accommodation before arrival where possible. Keep control of your drink and decline one you cannot trust. Check that your room has a secure lock and no suspicious viewing holes. Leave if staff behaviour or the room makes you feel unsafe.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Get to a safe place with someone you trust and seek urgent medical help. Call 123 for an ambulance if needed. You can also contact police, your insurer and your embassy or consulate.
Where in Egypt does this happen?
Budget accommodation and dealings with hotel touts or staff in Luxor. It has been reported in Luxor.
How common is this scam in Egypt?
Occasional. Tourist scams and persistent sales pressure are common in Egypt, especially in Luxor and busy tourist areas in Cairo. The main problems are inflated fares, shop diversions, misleading sales claims and demands for payment after unwanted help. Pickpocketing also happens, while reports of drink spiking in budget accommodation deserve particular care.
Are there similar scams in Egypt?
Yes: taxi or station tout diverts you to a hotel.
Who can I report it to?
Police: call 122 for urgent police assistance. Report theft, threats or suspected fraud and ask for a report reference. Tourism Police: look for a designated Tourism Police kiosk in a tourist area. Explain what happened and show any receipts or other evidence. Card issuer or bank: use your banking app or the issuer's official contact number to block a missing card and report unauthorised transactions. Ride-hailing app, transport operator or booking platform: use its official support channel. Include the booking, driver messages, receipt and agreed price. Travel insurer: contact the claims or emergency-assistance service listed in your policy. Keep police references and supporting documents. Your embassy or consulate: use its official contact details for a lost passport, detention or serious crime. Ask what consular help is available.
What number do I call in an emergency in Egypt?
Police: 122, Ambulance: 123, Fire: 180, Highway: 136.
Reviewed by @snuck