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Scams aimed at tourists and travellers — fake bookings, visa services, and airport/transfer scams. (41 scam types.)
A caller claims a family member has been seriously injured in an accident and that the victim must send money immediately to cover medical treatment or transport. The accident is invented.
Callers posing as immigration enforcement officers threaten imminent deportation or detention to coerce migrants and visa holders into making urgent payments or surrendering identity documents.
Fake Wi-Fi hotspots mimicking real ones to intercept logins, steal data, and serve phishing pages.
Fraudsters posing as Airbnb hosts direct guests off the platform to pay a security deposit via bank transfer, then collect the payment and disappear.
Unofficial websites and callers that charge fees to process airline refunds or flight compensation claims that passengers could pursue free of charge directly with the airline.
Imposter 'airline help' numbers and social accounts that steal payments and booking details.
Fraudulent websites and touts sell pre-booked airport fast-track security, immigration, or check-in services that either do not exist or are available free, charging for something the passenger never receives.
Unofficial 'taxi' and transfer touts who overcharge, reroute, or take prepayment and vanish.
Bogus flight, hotel and package sites that take payment for reservations that don't exist.
Bogus 'your trip is cancelled, claim a refund' messages that steal card and banking details.
Fraudulent car hire sites and listings that take deposits for vehicles that aren't available — or add hidden charges at pickup.
A caller posing as a consular or embassy official contacts a family member claiming their relative is being detained abroad and requires urgent payment for fees or fines before they can be released.
Fraudulent eSIM activation sites and fake roaming packages that charge for data connectivity that never works.
Fraudulent emails and texts pose as airline upgrade offers, harvesting card details or account credentials from passengers willing to pay a fee to move to business or premium class.
Third-party sites charging unnecessary fees to apply for trusted traveller programmes enrollable only through the official government Trusted Traveler Programs portal.
Messages demanding card 're-verification' to 'secure' a booking, capturing full card details.
Threats of deportation or visa problems used to extort payment from migrants and visitors.
Bogus claims handlers and imposter airline services that charge processing fees to access compensation that either doesn't exist or is freely available through official channels.
Third-party sites charging inflated fees to 'assist' with passport renewals — a process done directly through the official government service.
Fraudsters pose as immigration or customs officials and claim the victim's passport has been flagged for seizure due to criminal activity, threatening deportation or arrest unless an immediate payment is made.
Bogus event, attraction and transport tickets sold online that don't work at the gate.
Unlicensed guides and bogus tour operators who take payment for tours that don't happen as promised.
Fraudsters send convincing fake traffic-fine notices claiming a speed camera or red-light camera captured the victim's vehicle, then direct victims to fraudulent payment portals that steal money and card details.
Fraudulent sites selling counterfeit health certificates, vaccination records, and travel medical clearances that carry legal and health risks.
Bogus policies that take premiums for cover that doesn't exist or won't pay valid claims.
Fraudsters sell travel insurance policies that look genuine but provide no real cover, leaving travellers stranded with unpaid medical bills or lost trip costs.
Fraudsters posing as loyalty scheme support or third-party brokers steal frequent flyer and hotel points by requesting account credentials or directing victims to fake transfer sites.
Bogus travel insurance policies that look comprehensive but exclude the medical events most likely to occur, or are sold by unregulated operators with no claims-paying ability.
Fraudsters threaten to post fabricated negative reviews about a traveller's business or personal travel unless a fee is paid, or demand payments from hospitality businesses in exchange for removing damaging fake reviews.
Fraudulent short-term rental hosts who impersonate legitimate listings, collect deposits, and leave guests without accommodation.
Unofficial websites that charge inflated fees to submit visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation applications that travellers could file directly with the government for free or a fraction of the cost.
Sites and agents charging inflated or bogus fees for visas, ETAs and travel authorisations.
Bogus VPN apps that spy on your traffic, harvest credentials, or install malware instead of protecting you.
Fraudsters set up rogue Wi-Fi hotspots with legitimate-looking login pages to harvest credentials, card details, or install malware on connecting devices.
Fake apartment, villa and car rentals that take a deposit for a property that isn't available.
Tampered public USB charging ports that steal data or install malware while your device charges.
Fraudsters intercept or redirect physical mail containing sensitive identity documents — bank cards, NIN letters, passports, or HMRC correspondence — to gather everything needed to impersonate you and open accounts in your name.
Fraudsters impersonate mobile carriers offering roaming bundles or data add-ons, collecting payment for credits that are never applied to the account.
A message or call claims a family member travelling overseas has been robbed, lost their documents, or is otherwise stranded and needs emergency funds wired immediately. The situation is fabricated.
Schemes selling expensive travel club memberships with the promise of discounted holidays and a multi-level income from recruiting new members — where the travel discounts rarely justify the cost and income depends on perpetual recruitment.
Fraudsters posing as courier companies or embassy agents demand payment for 'customs fees' or 'release charges' on supposed travel documents being delivered, then collect the fee and deliver nothing.