The Dubai Police Summer Travel Scam Warning serves as an important reminder for residents planning their holidays to stay alert when booking flights, hotels and travel packages online. As part of its ongoing #BewareOfFraud campaign, Dubai Police has cautioned the public against fraudulent travel offers that become more common during the busy summer travel season.
According to the Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, scammers are taking advantage of people searching for affordable holidays by advertising fake travel deals, discounted hotel stays and heavily reduced flight tickets. These offers are designed to persuade victims to make quick payments before discovering that no booking has actually been made.
How the travel scams work
Dubai Police says fraudsters often create fake websites and social media accounts that closely resemble those of genuine, licensed travel agencies. Some even copy company logos and branding to appear trustworthy.
Victims may also receive messages or phone calls promoting limited-time offers or claiming that only a few seats remain available. The pressure to book quickly is intended to stop people from verifying whether the offer is genuine.
In many cases, travellers only realise they have been scammed after transferring money to a personal bank account or using an unverified payment link. By then, the promised flights or hotel reservations do not exist, leaving victims with financial losses and disrupted travel plans.
Tips to stay safe when booking
Dubai Police is encouraging residents to be cautious of travel deals that appear significantly cheaper than standard market prices. Travellers should always book through licensed travel agencies or trusted online platforms and carefully check website addresses before entering personal or payment details, as fraudulent websites can closely resemble legitimate ones.
The police also advise against transferring money to unknown or personal bank accounts and remind residents never to share bank card details, one-time passwords (OTPs) or account passwords with unverified individuals or businesses.
Anyone who encounters a suspicious website or believes they have come across a travel scam is encouraged to report it through Dubai Police’s e-Crime platform or by calling 901 for non-emergency assistance. With summer travel in full swing, taking a few extra minutes to verify a booking could help travellers avoid costly scams and enjoy a safer holiday
