Russian Travelers Urged to Watch Out for Scams as Summer Holidays Approach

With the summer travel season just around the corner, Russian tourists are being warned to stay alert for a surge in booking scams. Sergei Krivonosov, deputy chair of the State Duma’s tourism committee, told RIA Novosti that fraudsters are ramping up their efforts, creating fake websites for hotels, children’s camps, and travel agencies to steal personal and financial information.

The most common trick, he explained, is the “too-good-to-be-true” offer. Scammers pressure people to act fast, pushing them to pay immediately before they miss a supposed bargain. Krivonosov advises travelers never to click on suspicious links from messaging apps or texts, share confirmation codes, or enter credit card details on unfamiliar sites. He also urged people to double-check website addresses, domain names, and who sent the message. If a deal looks unrealistically cheap, that’s a red flag.

This warning follows earlier reports of a new scam targeting travelers headed to Turkey and Egypt. In that scheme, con artists call victims a week before departure, claiming their flight has been canceled and then offering fake rebooking services. As summer travel picks up, staying cautious online and on the phone may be the best way to keep your vacation from turning into a headache.