McAfee warns of new digital scams

Regular travellers are all too aware of various online scams but need to exercise particular caution when booking independently online, security experts at McAfee have warned. 

"It's important to strike a balance between the excitement of planning and the need for vigilance,” Vonny Gamot, a regional head at McAfee said:

“Cyber criminals are like digital pickpockets, using the lure of holiday seasons to trick unsuspecting [travellers] with too-good-to-be-true deals. 

"With the rise of AI, these scams have become more realistic and more common.

“We’re urging all holidaymakers to stay vigilant online and think twice before clicking on a link or sharing credit card details. By doing this, you’ll be protecting your privacy and identity, as well as your finances.”

Travel news hub Travel Mole reports that Gamot recommends customers double check they are on an official booking site by making sure the web address is a prefix ‘https’ and not just ‘http’. It often appears as a little padlock icon in the address bar of the browser.

“Also be wary of any text or email offering too-good-to-be-true holiday deals or ‘fast-track’ passport renewals.

“If ever in doubt over the legitimacy of an email or link, don’t engage with it and go direct to the source. 

"While dreaming about your next adventure, don’t let cyber criminals turn it into a nightmare.”

Image: Saruvut Vanset, Scop.io

Police warning: Look out for hotel booking scammers

Travellers need to pay more attention when booking hotels online, police have warned.

Three Thai nationals have been arrested for allegedly defrauding international tourists out of thousands of dollars using a fake hotel booking scheme.

Three suspects scammed more than $21,000 from customers by creating fake Facebook and web addresses and fleecing unwary tourists.

The alleged fraudsters set up fake Facebook pages for well-known Pattaya area hotels, taking bookings and payments.

Officers from Thailand’s Tourist Police Bureau made arrests at three locations across Thailand.

The three suspects had no ties at all to the hotels they sold rooms at, news portal Travel Mole reported.

Travellers tried to check in at the hotels for which they had booked and found the properties had no record of the,

Thai Police issued a warning to travellers to fully verify hotel pages on social media before parting with their details.

“These suspects lured tourists using Facebook pages that mimicked popular Pattaya hotels," Thai Police said.

"They offered fake promotions to convince victims to transfer money for non-existent bookings.”

Image: Rye Jesson, scop.io.