Question 1

What is the "Fake Hotel Booking Website" scam in Cairo?

Accepted Answer

Fraudulent websites impersonate legitimate Cairo hotels or mirror real booking platforms, accepting payment and sending convincing confirmation emails for reservations that do not exist. Tourists arrive at hotels such as those in Zamalek or Downtown Cairo to find no record of their booking. The fake sites often rank highly in search results by purchasing ads or copying hotel names exactly. Book only through the hotel's official website (verify the URL carefully) or major platforms like Booking.com and Expedia. Confirm your reservation directly with the hotel by phone or email using contact details from the hotel's own site — not from the booking confirmation email.

Question 2

What is the "Hotel Bait-and-Switch on Arrival" scam in Cairo?

Accepted Answer

A traveler arrives at a booked hotel in Cairo — often near Tahrir Square or in Giza — to be told the property is full, under renovation, or closed. Staff or a waiting tout immediately offer to transfer them to an "equivalent" hotel, which is typically far inferior. The replacement hotel charges full or higher rates, and the original booking payment is difficult or impossible to recover. Get written confirmation of your room type and rate before leaving home. On arrival insist on speaking to the manager and show your confirmation. If truly displaced, do not accept the transfer without researching the alternative hotel independently and agreeing a documented rate.

Accommodation Scams in Cairo

Fake Hotel Booking Website

Hotel Bait-and-Switch on Arrival

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