Street Scams in Hurghada, Egypt
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Hurghada — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Luxor, Casablanca, and Chefchaouen.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
1
Street Scams Scams
11
Total in Hurghada
How it works
Street vendors and shopfront sellers throughout the Hurghada bazaar area sell paintings on what is described as authentic papyrus, a material made from the Cyperus papyrus plant historically used in ancient Egypt. Nearly all tourist-market papyrus is in fact banana leaf paper, which is far cheaper to produce and has no lasting value as a collectible. Sellers charge prices consistent with genuine papyrus and may include a story about the painting being hand-made by a local artist.
See all scams in Hurghada
11 total warnings across all categories