A word of caution for female tourists visiting Egypt: be careful of the many of the men working in tourist areas in Egypt.
Although the vast majority of Egyptians have a high sense of honor and good conduct, it seems that tourist areas seem to attract a relatively high concentration of people with lax morals, who would exploit tourists in many ways. It can manifest itself as persistent aggressive begging, peddling cheap goods, charging 10X the normal prices for services and goods, and what this article focuses on: exploiting female tourists.
Looking at the bulk of the comments on my notes on compulsory army service in egypt they are mostly from non-Egyptian women who married (or intend to marry) an Egyptian man, and army service has become an obstacle.
So, once you here the word "habibti" (meaning "my love" in Arabic), and before you call him "Habibi", let alone go down the marriage route, read on below for more information.
The exploitation happens in many forms, but is normally centered around one of the following:
Easy and Free Sex
Many tourists come from countries where sex is more freely practiced outside of marriage. Youn g Egyptian men working in tourist areas who
are not married see this as an opportunity, and are met with acceptance from the female tourists.
A source for Money
Many Egyptian men who practice this scam view the "wealthy" tourist as a source of income. They keep asking their "girl friend", "fiance" or "wife" for money for various excuses, just like a professional scammer would play a confidence game on a victim.
An Opporunity for Immigration
Some of those men want to get out of Egypt, and see their marriage as a way to gain residence and citizenship in a Western country. The economy in Egypt has been stagnant for decades, and poverty, lack of opportunity and the high cost of marriage lures some youth to trying these tricks.
Why it works?
There are several factors that work in favor of the Egyptian scammers here.
One factor that helps is that most Egyptian men look desirable to Western women, being of darker complexion than their compatriots. The fact that the foreigners are white blonds work in making the women attractive and desirable for Egyptian men.
Another factor is that the woman is coming to the tourist place to have a good time. It may be a break from stressful work or study, or perhaps a past relationship. This helps blind her to what is happening.
Yet another factor is the cultural differences which also create temporary blindness.
Moreover, those workers being away from their village or city of origin, where they would be observed by their extended family and friends tend to make it easier for them to engage in sexual relationships and scams without being scrutinized by acquaintenaces, and no stigma is attached to these behaviors.
Finally, the scammers have perfected their techniques over the years, and are very skillful at what they do.
Blacklists
Blacklists have emerged on the internet, to warn potential female tourists from known exploiters. These have all the faults of user contributed content on the internet in that they can be innacurate, biased, or even rigged by rivals or pranksters. However, in the absence of any other information, they can be useful, provided they are taken with a good deal of skepticism and research and common sense applied.
- An overview article on what a "black list" is, at Arabia.pl.
- Dezy House: Blacklist for Hurghada, in English.
- Dezy House: Blacklist for Sharm El Sheikh, in English.
- Wanted List of Egypt.
- Egyptian Blacklist on Topix.
- KunstKamera blacklist.
Happens everywhere, not only Egypt
Before someone gets the impression that Egypt is a cesspool, and Egyptians are crooks, let me say it is neither.
The problem above is not limited to Egypt by any means. Any country where tourists come in to spend money has its share of exploiters. The above black lists have a Turkish one, and a Tunisian one, and there are lots of stories about French, Italian and Spanish men exploiting women tourists as well.
Of course, there is also the Russian bride fraud targeting well to do men in the West.
So, the problem is universal, although this article focuses on female tourists to Egypt.
Final Thoughts
There are many non-Egyptian women married to Egyptian men happily, so over-generalizing from the cases mentioned, or from workers at tourist resort is wrong. Chances are you will be happy with an Egyptian as a husband if you met him in a more natural settings, e.g. while studying or working, and getting to meet his family as well.
The "artificial" environment in resorts, being on holiday, and surrounded by some scammers lend itself to the disasters described.
So, beware ...
Further Reading
- Marwa Rakha: Relationship Warning: Do not get involved with Egyptian Men (also here).
- Global Voices: "Beware of Egyptian Men" says Canadian Embassy, also by Marwa Rakha.
- Trailing Grouse: Egyptian men marrying women for money.
- Yahoo Answers: Egyptian Men marrying foreign women to get out from Egypt.
- Sex, Sun, Stupidity and Gigolos.
- Amy Robson: n English girl who keeps falling in false love with Egyptian men (she finally returned to Britain).
- Someone searching on KunstKamera: for Honest Egyptian Boys?
- List if sites on Romance Fraud in German, and other languages.
- A movie documentary in the making on holiday romance, specially Hurghada.
- Female Sex Tourism on Wikipedia, has lots of links to extensive articles. While Turkey is listed as a major destination, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco are listed as "minor destinations".
- An article from a Canadian perspective: Sex tourism in full boom. Jamaica, Barbados, Dominican Republic and the Caribbean are the major destination for Canadian women.
Comments
Anonymous (not verified)
It is mean that Hurghada is
Sun, 2015/08/02 - 04:56It is mean that Hurghada is not safe to travel to . When you travel to a New country it is best to not be invalid With local People specially if you do not understand arabic.
Khalid
Sheena Warner: grandmother steels to feed her false romance
Thu, 2015/08/06 - 14:59Here is the case of Sheena Warner.
She is a 65 year old UK grandmother who sold her home, her car, and everything she owns, to send money to her fake boy friend in Egypt. When her money ran out, she started stealing from her work, over £500,000!
As usual, there was no romance, and there were no investments. She was duped of all of her money, as well as lots of her employer's money, and she ended up in jail.
A warning for female tourists: stay away from Egyptian men in tourist areas. You have been warned.
Ade (not verified)
Warning to all Rich or forefingers women to Egyptian men
Mon, 2015/08/17 - 01:51My friend got married to an Egyptian men when she went to Cairo at the first time, she is over 40 and a British Citizen, she was also conned as everyone in this blog, now she lost her house,her car,and the respect she had for Egypt, she swear she will never visit Egypt again.
Her story is a bit similar to any stories we see in some movies, but this is true.
She loved a young man from Egypt his name is Ahmed, she have been warned by families and friends but never pay attention, now thats Ok and is fixable easy by divorce, but the big issue here IS: they lived in her mother's flat with her in Cairo for temporary/honeymoon until he find a job or come to UK, all lived happy family for very short time
Now since he was refused a visa to UK, things changed and refused to the miss run away to UK after he bit her frequently as he was violent and things got scary, she had to run for her life but leaving all the problems to her mother.
Now Ahmed refused to leave the house and insisted he bought the house from her daughter and he have a signed papers by her as a power of attorney letter and that is his house now, so welcome to Egypt old lady, and kicked the mother out of her own flat then bringing another women who just got married as he is entitled to four.
The police got report of all this but they can only do action by the court order, we ll know the young lady never owned the house but it was her mother's house and even the previous owner can confirm, but Ahmed fake claims and papers is the time he is buying to delay as this system works well in Egypt, until you give up or keep spend money while your house is hijacked by a man who one day swear to look after his daughter as husband and wife.
she was even biting up and told not to try to change the lock as one day she attempted but got her almost killed by a group of men ( Ahmed's gangs ).
Now the case is going around Egypt to many lowers who first promise the unpromised but get nothing in return.
If anyone here have a solution without another lower then please help the old lady to get her house back as she said she will sell it and never come back to Egypt.
Thanks to Egyptian men who are destroying they own country by greed.
Anonymous (not verified)
Hotel Manager in Hurghada
Sun, 2015/08/23 - 14:22Hi All
I am posting to see if any members of this fora have any information about a hotel manager who works in the Siva Grand Beach Hotel in Hurghada. He gave his name as Mr Hazem, although I understand that it is customary to use the for-name formally in Egypt. He has befriended me on facebook using the name Hazem Abdelgawad, this could be his correct name or could it be the other way round and Abdelgawad could be his forename.
Brief background, I am a 46 year old female who has visited Egypt many times and although had a laugh with the local guys have never taken this to far, as most of them are young enough to be my sons. I visited the hotel two weeks ago with my aunt, we always have a holiday together each year and are well known at the hotel.
This year my aunt was taken ill and went to bed each night very early so I just stayed in the bar, talking to couples or other woman. I was approached by Hazem, who is quite older than me, I think he is in his late 50's or according to his facebook profile in his 60's, he was very smartly dressed, very polite and had an excellent command of the English language. He said he was the manager of the hotel but only works nights, I therefore concluded he was the night manager. We spoke at great length about life in Egypt and England and the differences in culture. He alluded to having a family in another city in Egypt but did not go into details only saying that it was a customary to marry but you don't live with your partner, indeed he lives in Hurghada alone. We chatted until about 1 in the morning when I went off to bed.
Next morning he was waiting for me in the restaurant and instructed the staff to make my aunt and I a special breakfast, which was delicious. He said he was going home to sleep and would see me later. He came back to the hotel about 6 in the evening and found me and my aunt, he made sure we were looked after in the restaurant. When my aunt went to bed I chatted again with him and found him very interesting and charming.
This routine carried on each night but one morning he asked if I wanted to go to his apartment to see how Egyptians lived, he said he had a few special English friends who had seen his flat so I should not be worried. I declined his offer as I was apprehensive about leaving the hotel and going to an unknown area on my own, my aunt is not to good on her legs and he said the walk would be to much for her.
On the last day I found a lovely bunch of flowers in my room signed with love from your friend Hazem. I did try to take them home but had them taken off me at Stansted Airport. I am a little shocked to admit it but I had developed deep feelings for Hazem, this is unusual as although I am in my forties I look about 10 years younger and have always been attracted to guys of the same age as myself, or slightly younger. I have never felt any attraction to someone who is over 15 years then myself and certainly not to an Egyptian. I have a very successful career and are very independent in my nature. He came to see us off, having arranged for a private minibus to take us to the airport, and we swapped contact details, became friends on facebook and other messengering services, had a slight embrace and off we went.
Since then he has sent me messages every day saying he looks forward to seeing me soon and likes or comments on very posting I put on facebook. Rather disturbingly I had one of my work colleagues send me a video of an extreme rock band, he commented that it was a nice tune, even I cant understand the lyrics so don't know how he possibly could, also as a Muslim would it be against his religion to like something that had obvious satanic undertones.
Ok folks, if you have read this far, that is my story. What I would like to know is if anyone knows of Hazem, or Abdelgawad, if so has he any history I should be wary off. Also he is unlike the boys who work in the hotel, as he has a good job, is well educated so why would he be interested in getting close to a European female. What has concerned me is that I told my story to a very trusted friend and she said night managers in the UK were not managers as such but little more than night porters, is this true in Egypt or do they have more responsibility. He did say he would be interested in coming to England to see me at some point so I could show him the country, I am little scared as I may have to act as his sponsor for immigration purposes.
Should I be worried or just be grateful I have made a new interesting friend.
Thank you in advance for any advice.
Khalid
All the wrong signs ...
Sun, 2015/08/23 - 14:52Not to put it mildly: You are being taken for a ride.
He is married and has a family and you know it, yet you ignore those fact willingly.
The man used his employer's money to shower you with favours (special breakfast, private bus, flowers, ...etc.). He did not pay for it from his own money! And you fell for it.
He invited you to his apartment. You wisely refused, but you are still ensnared in his sweet talk.
He is liking every post to maintain contact with you and keep you under his spell.
You are considering his social rank (manager vs. porter), perhaps because of the British social stratification, but ignoring all the above, and the age difference.
If you continue this fake relationship, then don't blame anyone other than yourself.
Ade (not verified)
Warning to all Rich or foreigners women to Egyptian men
Mon, 2015/08/24 - 02:07Hi Khalid any recommended good lawyer you know who can send the message to Ahmed that Egypt still is a country that respect the law especially when it comes protecting foreigners/tourist, as this is really bad news for Egypt investors and holiday makers.
I just cant believe a foreigners women got beaten by a group of men and no police arrived at the scene.
The latest news I have from her is she came back to London and looking for help, just wonder if this is possible while she's here?
Thanks for this site by the way.
Anonymous (not verified)
Sorry but Egyptian men have
Mon, 2015/08/24 - 13:18Sorry but Egyptian men have their own law- the law of the Village! The police certainly do not respect their country's laws - especially when it relates to problems with foreign women. Their attitude is that the women are nothing more than whores and deserve everything they get. I would advise that you contact the agency I used to investigate the scammer that conned me. They are based in Alexandria, miles away from the tourist hotspots such as Sharm and Hurghada, they have access to lawyers that specialise in this kind of problem. They are unbiased and are less likely to be open to the bribes that other lawyers and the police are so eager to grasp. Their address and phone number are on page 90 of this blog
Anonymous (not verified)
Reply to - Hotel manager in Hurghada
Sun, 2015/08/23 - 17:11Hi I agree with Khalid, the general rule for any man living and working in the tourist industry in Hurghada is - if their lips are moving, they are lying. At his age he will be married and have children he hasn't got a government job so will receive no pension -he is looking to the future and sucking you in. They are very good, charming, manipulative and they make a woman feel she is the most special person in the universe - that's their job and they earn thousands doing it. The guy who conned me -I had him investigated - it turned out that far from the poor, divorcee from the West Bank, he is married with 3 kids owns a 2015 car and no less than 6 flats in Hurghada, which he rents out to unsuspecting tourists at 'rip off' rates. When I tackled him about his wife he said its ok we're allowed to have 4 wives. This is true but they are also supposed to be able to keep the four wives in comfort. Not support their Egyptian family by ripping off their European 'wives'. Do yourself and your bank balance a huge favour and steer clear of him.
Cleo (not verified)
You are being scammed
Wed, 2015/08/26 - 21:30Please take Khalid's advice and cease all contact from this Egyptian man. He is setting you up big time for a scam. Sooner rather than later his children, parents or even himself will require an operation or he will need to pay a very heavy fine to the police or even rent on his flat and of course he has no money. Fancy him having the gall to invite you to his flat? OMG I am so glad that you had the sense not to go there. This man would have tried his scam on many foreign women with some success.You have been warned!
Anonymous (not verified)
Egyptian men in London
Tue, 2015/08/25 - 11:49I think even when these Egyptian men live in Western countries they still do the same after they have seperated from their Western wives and live alone again. They keep the habit of working in restaurants or hotels and still try to go with older ladies . Tell them stories about how they have to Support their families back in Egypt, or the credit they have to pay which doesn't leave them with more than 100 GBP to live for the rest of the month. They expect money, gifts and invitations for Holidays. I think once Beznesser always Beznesser but they forget that they get older and if they don't chnage their Lifestyle they will end up being alone. I was victim of one of these guys who works in a highclass restaurant in London.If any of you has made similiar experinces in London,I am willing to share information
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