Digital Fraud in Egypt: A Growing Legal Priority
Egypt's cybercrime law reflects the government's recognition that financial fraud and identity-based crimes conducted through digital means require dedicated criminal penalties. For expats, who may be targeted precisely because they are perceived as less familiar with local legal recourse options, understanding these provisions is both a defensive and practical necessity.
Key Fraud and Identity Offenses Under the Law
Unauthorized Use of Payment Credentials (Article 23)
Article 23 specifically targets financial cybercrime. It criminalizes the use of an information network or any information technology means to, without authorization, access:
- Bank card numbers or data
- Service credentials
- Electronic payment tool information
The penalty is:
- Minimum 3 months imprisonment
- Fine between EGP 30,000 and not exceeding a set statutory maximum
This provision covers classic scenarios including card skimming data used online, credential stuffing attacks targeting banking portals, and the use of stolen payment information for unauthorized purchases.
For expats as victims: If your bank card or online payment credentials have been used fraudulently in Egypt or via Egyptian digital infrastructure, you have the right to file a criminal complaint under this article. Preserve all evidence — transaction records, SMS notifications, account statements — and report immediately to both your bank and the Egyptian police.
Creating Fake Accounts and Websites (Article 24)
Article 24 criminalizes the creation of a fake email address, website, or private account that falsely attributes itself to a real natural or legal person. This covers:
- Impersonation accounts on social media mimicking real individuals
- Fake corporate websites designed to deceive customers or partners
- Phishing emails crafted to appear as legitimate institutions
The base penalty is minimum 3 months imprisonment and a fine between EGP 10,000 and EGP 30,000. However, if the fake account or website is used to commit a further crime — such as fraud or defamation — penalties increase substantially based on the nature of the additional offense.
For expats as victims of impersonation: If someone has created a fake account pretending to be you, or a fake website impersonating your business, this is directly actionable under Egyptian criminal law. You do not need to be an Egyptian citizen to file a complaint.
Unauthorized Benefit from Telecom Services (Article 13)
Article 13 targets anyone who unlawfully benefits from telecommunications services or audio/visual broadcast channels via an information network. This includes piracy of paid streaming services, unauthorized use of telecommunication accounts, and circumventing payment systems for digital content.
Penalty: Minimum 3 months imprisonment and fines between EGP 10,000 and EGP 50,000.
Expats should avoid using unofficial streaming apps, pirated IPTV services, or unauthorized telecom channels — these are criminal offenses in Egypt, not merely civil copyright matters.
Financial Cybercrime Involving Networks (Article 21)
Article 21 criminalizes intentionally causing an information network to shut down, be disrupted, or be jammed — including unlawful electronic processing of network data. This provision can apply in fraud schemes that involve deliberately disrupting banking or payment networks to exploit the resulting confusion. Penalties start at 6 months imprisonment and fines between EGP 100,000 and a statutory maximum.
Service Provider Obligations: What This Means for Your Data
Under Article 2, all Egyptian service providers — including internet providers, mobile operators, and digital platforms — are legally required to retain user data logs for a continuous 180-day period. This means that your digital activity, IP addresses, and connection records are stored and accessible to investigators. If you are a victim of fraud, this data can be used to track perpetrators. If you are under investigation, this data can be used as evidence against you.
How Digital Evidence Works in Egyptian Courts (Article 11)
Article 11 confirms that evidence derived from electronic devices, data carriers, information systems, or computer programs carries the same probative weight as physical evidence in Egyptian criminal proceedings, provided technical conditions are met. This means:
- Screenshots, metadata, and server logs are valid evidence
- Electronic transaction records can establish guilt or innocence
- Expats should preserve all digital evidence if they are victims of fraud
Steps Expats Should Take If They Are Victims of Online Fraud
- Preserve all evidence immediately — screenshots, transaction histories, email chains, account activity logs.
- Contact your bank or payment provider and freeze or block affected accounts.
- File a police report at your nearest Egyptian police station — cybercrime units operate under the Interior Ministry.
- Consult an Egyptian criminal lawyer who can file a formal complaint with the Public Prosecution under the relevant articles of Law No. 175 of 2018.
- Report to the NTRA (National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority) if the fraud involved telecommunications or internet services.
Protecting Yourself from Becoming a Defendant
- Never access payment systems or accounts that are not yours, even if someone shares credentials with you.
- Avoid tools that circumvent payment verification systems — possession of such tools is criminalized under Article 22.
- Ensure your business website and accounts are clearly identified to avoid any suggestion of impersonation.
- Keep records of all your authorized digital transactions in Egypt in case your activity is ever questioned.
Summary
Egypt's cybercrime law provides strong criminal remedies for victims of online fraud and identity theft, and imposes serious penalties on perpetrators. Expats should know their rights as potential victims and understand the clear legal boundaries that prevent them from inadvertently committing a related offense.