Where Tourists Get Scammed Most Often: Alarming Statistics

Fraudsters are increasingly targeting tourists: the number of fake transactions in travel bookings rose by 12% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to a report by the Mastercard Economics Institute. Solo travelers booking trips through unverified websites are at particular risk. Fake platforms are becoming ever more convincing, leveraging fake reviews and AI-generated images.

The study highlights that popular destinations with large numbers of visitors become prime targets for scammers due to high concentrations of tourists and transaction volumes. During the peak summer season in such locations, complaints about fraud increase by 18%, while in winter, popular “cold” destinations see a rise of over 28%.

Experts emphasize that the danger begins even during the trip planning stage: tourists encounter fake destination photos, fraudulent booking confirmation links, and deceptive offers designed to exploit travelers’ desire to save money amid inflation and economic pressures.

Among destinations with the highest recorded fraud cases, Mastercard lists Cancun (Mexico), Hanoi (Vietnam), Dhaka (Bangladesh), and Bangkok (Thailand). Tourists visiting San Francisco, Dublin, Seoul, Budapest, and Edinburgh encounter scams less frequently. The report stresses that this is not an absolute city ranking but a relative comparison of fraud levels.

The most common scams remain fake travel agencies and tour operators, with the frequency of such frauds exceeding the global average by more than four times. In Hong Kong, for example, such schemes account for 70% of all tourist fraud cases, while Barcelona and Delhi see 64%, Singapore 49%, and Cancun 48%. Key red flags to watch for include offers of tours at suspiciously low prices or demands for upfront payments. As noted in the report, after payment, the tour either does not happen at all or turns out completely different from what was promised.

Taxi and rental car scams are also widespread, especially in Jakarta (Indonesia), where they account for 66% of all tourist scams, in Bangkok 48%, and in London 34%. Tourists are often forced to pay for fictitious damages or face inflated bills for rides.

Accommodation booking fraud remains a frequent problem in popular resorts: in Phuket, such cases account for 39% of all tourist fraud, and in Antalya 35%. Scammers create fake listings on rental platforms or travel websites, luring travelers into booking non-existent properties or accommodations that look nothing like their descriptions.

Mastercard experts emphasize that to avoid such situations, tourists should maintain a healthy dose of skepticism, carefully verify offers, and be particularly cautious of deals that sound too good to be true.

A McAfee study focused on American travelers notes that young people aged 18 to 24 are the most frequent victims of travel scams. Among them, 21% clicked on fake booking confirmation links, while in the 25 to 34 age group, 10% were misled by AI-edited photos.

One in five U.S. travelers has already encountered travel booking scams, with 13% losing more than $500 and 5% losing over $1,000. Moreover, men fall victim more often than women: 29% versus 18%. McAfee points out that the drive to save money creates the perfect opportunity for scammers: 58% of travelers cut back on personal spending to afford vacations, making many easily tempted by enticing deals on flights, hotels, and rentals that turn out to be fake.

Popular scam tactics include creating fake websites, sending fraudulent confirmations, and posting misleading destination photos. To stay safe, McAfee advises travelers to be cautious of suspicious emails and messages offering “great deals,” reverse-search images from rental ads, read reviews, and book only on reputable platforms. Travelers should verify the identity of anyone claiming to be hotel staff or tour guides before handing over documents or money. Fake QR codes can lead to scam websites, and posting real-time location updates can attract criminals or thieves—sharing updates after returning home is safer.