Fake Hotel Sites Surge as Travel Season Approaches, Russian Lawmaker Warns

As summer travel picks up, so do the scams. Russian lawmaker Sergey Krivonosov, deputy chair of the State Duma committee on tourism, reports a sharp rise in fraudulent websites mimicking hotels, tour operators, and children’s camps. Speaking to RIA Novosti on May 14, Krivonosov explained that criminals send fake booking links and social media messages designed to steal personal data and drain bank accounts.

Scammers are especially aggressive with “too-good-to-be-true” deals, limited-time offers, and urgent discounts on vacations and lodging. They pressure victims to pay quickly, claiming only one room or spot remains. Then they move conversations to messaging apps, sending links to fake sites that look nearly identical to legitimate booking platforms—often differing by just a single letter in the web address or a different IP. Once a victim enters credit card details, the money disappears and the reservation vanishes.

Krivonosov urged travelers to stay sharp: stick to verified aggregators, official sites, and apps. Never click suspicious links from texts or messengers, share confirmation codes, or enter card info on unknown sites. Check URLs carefully, and if a price seems unrealistically low, it probably is.

On the legislative front, he noted ongoing efforts to clean up the travel market. A bill prepared with the Ministry of Economic Development proposes a unified state tourism portal that would list only vetted booking services, ticket sellers, and travel platforms. Regional authorities could also post official info on routes and attractions. The goal, Krivonosov said, is to build a safe, transparent digital space where travelers can plan trips without fear.