Cairo Emergency Card

Tourist Police / Authorities

• Tourism & Antiquities Police (Cairo)
  +20 2 2390 6028
  Downtown + patrols at Giza/Khan el-Khalili — English/French
• Ministry of Tourism (complaints)
  tourism.gov.eg
  For guide / operator complaints

First 10 minutes if something happens

1. 1.Get to a safe, public spot (café, hotel lobby, shop) and call Police on 122 if anyone is hurt or in immediate danger.
2. 2.Freeze cards immediately in your bank app (do this before calling the bank — it's faster). Revoke Apple Pay / Google Pay from a trusted device if your phone was taken.
3. 3.Change the password on your primary email from a trusted device, then sign out of every other session. Email is the master key to everything else.
4. 4.Contact Tourism & Antiquities Police (Cairo) on +20 2 2390 6028 to file a report — you'll need the reference number for insurance, banks, and your embassy.

Full 8-step checklist at gacs.app/safe-traveller/cairo

Top 5 scams to watch for

1. 1. Fake tour guide at Giza pyramids
   'Free info' becomes $50–$100 shakedown at the end of a 30-min unwanted tour.
   Avoid: Buy tickets at the official Giza ticket office; ignore anyone approaching outside.
   If it happens: Refuse verbal 'tours' — say 'la shukran' (no thanks) firmly.
2. 2. Camel/horse ride price hike
   $10 quoted 'to get on' becomes $100 to get off, in the middle of the desert.
   Avoid: Book camel rides ONLY through licensed operators via your hotel — with printed receipt.
   If it happens: Pay the smallest amount to end the situation, then report handler ID to Tourism & Antiquities Police.
3. 3. Papyrus / perfume shop 'closed for prayer' diversion
   Taxi 'accidentally' stops at a papyrus shop; owner won't let you leave without a purchase.
   Avoid: Refuse ALL unrequested detours — insist 'direct only' before departure.
   If it happens: Refuse to enter the shop; wait outside.
4. 4. CAI airport taxi meter refusal
   Meter 'broken' — driver quotes 500 EGP for a 150 EGP trip.
   Avoid: Use Uber or Careem — pickup at Terminal 2 arrivals, ground floor.
   If it happens: Refuse to pay above real metered rate; photograph plate.
5. 5. 'Free' welcome tea / gift shakedown
   Shopkeeper serves tea then demands you buy something to 'thank hospitality.'
   Avoid: Politely decline tea unless prepared to bargain hard.
   If it happens: Accepting tea creates no legal obligation — walk out politely if pressed.