‘Dubai mein humare paise doob gaye’: Archana Puran Singh’s Dubai trip turns sour after losing money to fake ticketing site; how to protect yourself from online travel frauds

Online scams aren’t limited to suspicious phone calls or phishing emails anymore — even seasoned travellers and public figures can fall victim to fraudulent websites. 

What red flags should travellers look out for when booking activities or tickets online?

DK Ghatani, travel consultant and founder at Sikkim Expeditions, tells indianexpress.com, “Even in well-regulated destinations like the UAE, online scams can occur through third-party platforms that operate outside formal channels. One of the first red flags to watch for is unusually low prices or heavily discounted packages that seem too good to be true. These often lure travelers into making impulsive bookings without proper verification.”

Another sign, he says, is the lack of clear contact information or professional customer support. Reputable travel services usually have transparent refund policies, verified phone numbers, and clear cancellation terms. A website that only communicates through chat apps or generic email addresses should raise concerns. Also, be cautious of websites that require full advance payment through unsecured methods without providing formal confirmation or e-tickets.

How can tourists verify if a booking website is legitimate before making a payment? 

Before making a payment, Ghatani suggests that tourists should look for independent reviews on various platforms. These can provide real feedback from past users, which helps verify whether a service is genuine.

“One effective step is to check if the travel company or booking site is listed with local tourism boards or authorities. In the UAE, for instance, the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai provides listings of licensed travel operators. Tourists can also look for badges or certificates of affiliation with recognized travel associations like IATA or WTTC,” he explains. 

Scammers often operate on newly created websites that mimic legitimate services. Secure websites will also use HTTPS protocols and verified payment gateways.

In case someone falls victim to a scam abroad, what immediate steps should they take to try to recover their money or report the fraud effectively?

If someone suspects they have been scammed, Ghatani mentions, the first step is to contact their bank or credit card provider to report the transaction and request a chargeback if the payment method allows for it. The sooner this is done, the higher the chances of blocking or reversing the charge.

Next, the incident should be reported to the local police, especially in cities like Dubai, where cybercrime units are active and take tourist fraud seriously. Keeping all receipts, screenshots, emails, and communication records can strengthen the case when filing a report.

“It is also advisable to inform the local embassy or consulate, particularly if identity documents or large sums are involved,” concludes the expert.