In today’s world, you don’t even have to leave your couch to fall victim to fraud. But for those who travel, the risk increases significantly. While fake passport, visa, and TSA PreCheck websites are on the rise, credit card scams remain among the top tourist scams travelers encounter abroad. As international tourism rebounds and travelers return to bucket-list destinations, fraudsters are stepping up their game. According to a new report from the Mastercard Economic Institute, the travel industry is now one of the most targeted sectors for fraud, with scam activity spiking by 18% during peak summer travel and over 28% at winter destinations.
The report—based on aggregated and anonymized Mastercard transaction data—highlights a troubling trend: scammers are targeting popular tourist hotspots where crowds and high transaction volumes provide ideal cover for deceptive schemes. From fake tour operators to bogus rental listings, travel fraud is no longer a rare mishap—it’s becoming a global issue. Here’s what to know about where travel fraud is most common—and what to watch out for on your next trip.
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Places With The Most Travel Fraud In 2025
While no destination is completely immune to travel scams, certain cities are seeing notably higher levels of fraud in 2025. According to Mastercard’s report, popular tourist hubs—particularly those in Asia and Latin America—are being targeted due to their high volumes of visitors and transactions. Cancun, Mexico, is one of the cities with elevated travel fraud, with nearly half of its scams involving fake tour agencies and sightseeing services. These scams often lure travelers with enticing offers, only for the services to fall short—or never happen at all.
Bangkok, Thailand, also ranks high for travel-related scams, particularly in the transportation sector. Mastercard’s data shows that taxi and car rental scams make up 48% of all reported fraud in the city. Hanoi, Vietnam, and Dhaka, Bangladesh, are also flagged in the report as destinations with higher-than-average fraud levels. Though the types of scams vary, these cities stand out for their increased risk to travelers compared to other parts of the world. By contrast, cities like San Francisco, Dublin, Seoul, Budapest, and Edinburgh report relatively lower levels of travel-related fraud, according to the Mastercard Economic Institute.
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Most Common Types Of Travel Fraud
In 2025, travel scams are getting smarter—and they often start long before your bags are packed. According to Mastercard, fraud linked to the early stages of trip planning has jumped 12% in just the past year. From fake booking links to misleading destination photos, scammers are preying on travelers hunting for deals, especially during a time when many are trying to stretch their budgets. One of the most common—and convincing—types of fraud involves phony travel agencies and sightseeing tours. Globally, these scams are more than four times as common as other forms of travel fraud. In places like Hong Kong, an overwhelming 70% of travel-related scams are tied to fake operators. The trend is similar in Barcelona, Delhi, Singapore, and Cancun, where these bogus agencies account for nearly half (or more) of all travel scams.
What makes these scams so dangerous is how real they seem. Many fraudsters set up slick websites, post fake reviews, and even display forged business credentials. But once you hand over your money, the tour may never happen—or it turns out to be nothing like what was promised. All of this makes one thing clear: before booking anything, take a few extra minutes to verify who you’re dealing with. A polished website doesn’t always mean a legitimate business—especially when it’s offering deals that seem too good to be true.
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What Travelers Should Watch Out For
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It’s essential to stay vigilant in today’s travel landscape. Scammers have become more sophisticated, but there are still red flags savvy travelers can spot. One major warning sign is deeply discounted tours or experiences that require full prepayment. Once payment is made, these offers often vanish—along with the scammer. Transportation scams are another common scheme, especially in cities where unregulated taxis and private car services thrive. In Jakarta, Indonesia, for example, taxi and car rental fraud makes up 66% of all travel scams. Bangkok follows with 48%, and even major European hubs like London report high levels (34%) of transportation-related fraud.
Common Travel Scam Types And Warning Signs:
|
Scam Type |
What to Watch For |
|
Tours & Experiences |
“Too good to be true” prices requiring full upfront payment |
|
Transportation Rides |
Inflated taxi/rental charges |
|
Accommodation |
Fake rental listings and confirmations |
Just as troubling is the rise in fraudulent accommodation bookings. Tourists in Phuket, Thailand, and Antalya, Turkey, are especially vulnerable. These scams often involve fake listings on vacation rental platforms or cloned travel websites, tricking travelers into booking non-existent or substandard properties. Scammers may even provide falsified “booking confirmations” to delay suspicion until it’s too late. When booking accommodations, always double-check URLs, read recent reviews, and confirm with the property directly if possible. And no matter where you’re going, these red flags are worth keeping in mind: prices far lower than the market average, requests for full payment upfront via wire or untraceable methods, limited or suspicious online reviews, pressure to book immediately or “last minute” offers, and any discrepancies in addresses, contact info, or photos.
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How Travel Fraud Is Changing Traveler Behavior
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The rise in travel-related scams isn’t just affecting wallets—it’s changing how people plan, book, and experience their trips. With identity theft and payment fraud on the rise, travelers are getting more cautious. Many now opt for credit cards with zero liability protection, use digital wallets for added security, or even rethink their destination if a location is known for scams targeting tourists. Technology is also reshaping the way people protect themselves abroad. Mobile wallets and tokenized payments—where real card numbers are replaced with digital stand-ins—offer a safer alternative to manual card entry. These tools, powered by advanced AI fraud detection systems, are helping travelers feel more secure while still enjoying the convenience of digital payments.
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As travel picks up across the globe, so do the risks of encountering scams. Mastercard’s report shows that the travel industry is increasingly vulnerable to fraud, particularly in major tourist hubs like Cancun, Hanoi, and Bangkok. But by understanding where fraud is most common, how it happens, and how it affects traveler behavior, it’s easier to prepare—and protect yourself. To avoid becoming a victim, bring skepticism along with your sunscreen. Question too-good-to-be-true deals, research vendors carefully, and use secure, fraud-protected payment methods. With a little caution and the right tools, you can steer clear of scams and enjoy a safer, more stress-free getaway.