DUBAI: Dubai Police has warned residents to be careful of fake travel offers, hotel bookings, and flight ticket deals, especially during holiday and summer vacation seasons.
The warning was issued under the ongoing “Be Aware of Fraud” campaign. Dubai Police said scammers are taking advantage of families and individuals looking for cheaper travel packages and attractive holiday bookings.
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How Fake Travel Offers Reach Victims
According to Dubai Police, scammers create fake websites and false social media accounts that appear to sell travel packages, hotel stays, and flight tickets.
These offers are often priced much lower than real market rates. The goal is to make people act fast and transfer money before checking if the offer is real.
Some scammers also use professional logos, polished images, and names similar to known travel companies. This makes the fake ads look more believable to busy residents who are planning family trips.
The Pressure Trick: “Book Now or Lose It”
Dubai Police said scammers may contact victims through messaging apps or phone calls. They usually push people to finish the booking quickly.
Common pressure lines include:
- “Only a few seats are left.”
- “The offer will expire in hours.”
- “You need to pay now to confirm.”
These lines are meant to stop people from thinking carefully. Once money is sent to a personal account or unknown payment link, the victim may later discover that the flight, hotel, or package was never confirmed.
What Residents Should Check Before Paying
Dubai Police urged the public to deal only with accredited and licensed tourism companies or trusted official platforms.
Before entering personal or banking details, residents should check the website link carefully. Some fake websites look almost the same as real ones, but the domain name or spelling may have small changes.
Residents should also avoid sending money to personal or unknown accounts. Bank card details, passwords, and security codes should never be shared with untrusted parties.
Where to Report Suspicious Travel Scams
Dubai Police said fraud incidents and suspicious websites can be reported through the official e-Crime platform or by calling 901 for non-emergency cases.
For now, residents planning holidays should compare prices, verify the travel agency, and avoid offers that look too cheap to be real. The safest step is simple: check first before paying.
