Tea used to pressure a perfume purchase in Egypt

Perfume shops in Hurghada.

How it works

Staff invite you inside, offer tea or another drink and show you perfumes. They then use your acceptance of the drink to pressure you into buying.

Warning signs

Staff pull or steer you into the shop.
A free drink is offered before a prolonged sales pitch.

How to avoid it

Decline the drink if you do not want a sales visit.
Enter only shops you choose yourself.
Leave when hospitality turns into pressure.

If it happens to you

State that you are not buying and leave. Accepting a drink is not a reason to make an unwanted purchase.

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.

Where it happensPerfume shops in Hurghada.Hurghada

What travellers report

Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.

More scams in EgyptPerfume quality or contents misrepresented: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the tea used to pressure a perfume purchase scam in Egypt?

Staff invite you inside, offer tea or another drink and show you perfumes. They then use your acceptance of the drink to pressure you into buying.

How can I spot it early?

Staff pull or steer you into the shop. A free drink is offered before a prolonged sales pitch.

How do I avoid tea used to pressure a perfume purchase in Egypt?

Decline the drink if you do not want a sales visit. Enter only shops you choose yourself. Leave when hospitality turns into pressure.

What should I do if it happens to me?

State that you are not buying and leave. Accepting a drink is not a reason to make an unwanted purchase.

Where in Egypt does this happen?

Perfume shops in Hurghada. It has been reported in Hurghada.

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: large tourist markups in markets, papyrus museums, inflated discounts and imitation papyrus, market price changed from per kilo to per half-kilo.

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