Kaspersky Warns: Fake Wi-Fi and Discount Scams Target Travelers in Turkey, Egypt and Beyond

Travelers heading abroad this year face a familiar set of digital traps, according to experts at Kaspersky GReAT, who shared their findings with Lenta.ru. Public Wi-Fi networks in airports, hotels, cafes and shopping malls are a particular concern, with criminals setting up fake access points to intercept traffic and steal login credentials and payment details.

Kaspersky's "Cyber-Safe Travel" survey found more than half of Russians plan to vacation inside the country in the coming year. From October 2025 to June 2026, experts recorded 376 million common web threats in Russia.

Among foreign destinations, the top five are Turkey, Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, with 30.6 million and 15.6 million web threats detected in Turkey and Egypt respectively. Beyond fake Wi-Fi, travelers there face card cloning, unauthorized transactions and skimming devices planted on ATMs.

Another widespread threat is fake tour operators and hotels. Scammers lure tourists with discounts on accommodation, transfers and excursions, posing as legitimate companies through convincing websites, social media ads and messenger messages, then demand prepayment. Travelers risk losing both money and personal data.

Malaysia saw 15.3 million web threats, Indonesia 12.9 million and Singapore about 6 million. In these countries, theft of smartphones and laptops in public places is common, and the bigger problem can be intercepted access to banking apps, email and online accounts. In Malaysia, scammers may also build trust through dating apps, social networks and messengers, while in Singapore they contact visitors posing as government agencies.

Dmitry Galov, head of Kaspersky GReAT in Russia, noted that trips bring vivid impressions but also risks, as cybercriminals exploit tourist bustle to steal data or money. Carefulness and knowledge of typical scams can help travelers spot warning signs in time.