Hotel booking scams escalating, pose potential threats to travelers
In a recent development, Police Region 2, which oversees eight eastern provinces including Chon Buri, Rayong, Trat, and Chanthaburi, has issued a warning about an increase in online fraud, specifically fake booking services offering discounted hotel rooms.
The chief of Police Region 2, Pol Lt Gen Yingyod Thepjamnong, reported that the total damage caused by these online frauds was approximately 162 million baht. No new information about the number of cybercrime reports received by the Royal Thai Police website was provided.
Common tactics used by these fraudsters include posting fake hotel listings or booking offers on social media platforms like Facebook with unrealistically low prices, using professional-looking but fraudulent websites or apps that imitate legitimate travel agencies, and after payment, victims either receive no booking confirmation or fake/invalid confirmations, with customer support becoming unreachable. These scams may also be tied into broader fraud schemes, including ATM pin theft or coordinated team scams involving locals exploiting tourists’ trust.
To protect themselves, tourists are advised to always book hotels through well-known and reputable booking platforms such as Expedia, Booking.com, Google Flights, or Skyscanner and compare prices to spot unreal deals. They should verify the legitimacy of booking websites by checking for “https” in the URL, third-party reviews from independent sites, and avoid platforms with poor or no reviews. Using credit cards instead of debit cards for bookings is also recommended, as credit cards often offer better fraud protection.
Tourists should also avoid making payments to individuals or companies found only via social media or informal channels without verifiable contact information. When in Thailand, they are advised to avoid engaging with strangers who might offer last-minute hotel deals and be cautious about sharing personal or financial information online and offline.
Official ATMs located in secure, public places like banks, malls, and convenience stores should be used instead of standalone or secluded ATMs that could be compromised. Police also advise people to confirm details of unknown bank accounts before making a payment using the app Cyber Check or the website Checkgon.
Recently, a suspect named "Aiw" has been arrested by police for running a Facebook page offering hotel rooms and pool villas. The suspect is linked to 20 reported cases of online fraud. No new information about the percentage of cybercrime reports involving fake service booking pages was provided.
In July, the Royal Thai Police website received 34,570 cybercrime reports, with 17,823 (51.5%) involving fake service booking pages. After victims complete payment, these fraudulent pages block all further efforts to contact them. It is crucial for tourists to stay vigilant and follow these precautions to significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to fake booking scams and other related frauds targeting tourists in Thailand.
- Given the recent rise in online fraud cases, specifically fake booking services in Thailand, it's essential for tourists to be aware of the threat and boost their cybersecurity measures.
- When booking hotels online, tourists should focus on well-known platforms like Expedia, Booking.com, Google Flights, or Skyscanner to minimize the risk of encountering fraudulent booking pages often found on unverified platforms or social media.
