Monday night, 9:32 PM. An email lands in my inbox.
Sender: “WB-827 Assistant Исаев” (that alone should’ve been a clue).
Subject: We need your response within 24 hours – Laura Thomas.
Inside, the usual well-rehearsed play: Booking.com-style layout, the “guest’s” name, a believable reservation ID, flawless wording — and of course, the ultimatum.
“If we don’t receive your response within 24 hours, we’ll reimburse the guest and charge you.”
The cherry on top? The domain name: @NIGSD.gov.eg.
Laura Thomas, apparently, now books her hotel stays through the Egyptian Ministry of Local Development.
SIMONE PUORTO
