The 'broken TV' scam at checkout in Egyptian hotels — how it works and how to avoid it
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 2 days ago
TL;DR
Some Egyptian hotels accuse guests of damaging room equipment (like a TV) right before checkout and hold their luggage hostage until they pay — one reported case involved paying $375 in cash to get bags released.
What the community said
The scam unfolds at the last moment: while guests wait for the airport shuttle, their suitcases from the room 'disappear', and just as they board the bus staff announce the room TV is broken and blame the guests.
3 days ago
On inspection the TV turned out to be old, dusty and still functional, only showing a line on screen — no visible damage, yet the hotel still demanded compensation.
3 days ago
The hotel refused to call police or show camera footage of the departing bus, with a staff member claiming the local police chief was her relative and that 'you won't be able to prove anything'.
3 days ago
The tour operator's representative (Biblio Globus) refused to help resolve the dispute or arrange a separate transfer, saying it wasn't part of his duties — the family had to handle it alone.
3 days ago Biblio Globus
To make their flight, the family had to pay $375 cash right at the barrier on the way out — only then were the suitcases returned, and they had to run after the bus on foot with their luggage.
3 days ago $375 cash