Turkish Tourism Boss Warns of Booking Scams Targeting Russian Travelers

Russian tourists planning a holiday in Turkey are being warned about a fresh wave of booking scams, with fraudsters targeting those looking for accommodation. Akyın Beke, a tour operator based in Bodrum and a member of the Turkish Association of Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), told RIA Novosti that the problem has surged during the peak season. He said travelers are most often duped by fake listings, losing their money after putting down a deposit.

Beke urged visitors to stick with trusted booking platforms and only use licensed travel agencies. Over the past few weeks, complaints about these schemes have spiked, he noted. The most common trick involves bogus bungalow rentals: after the victim pays, the supposed owner vanishes. Other frequent headaches include fraudulent car rental ads, phantom hotel reservations, room swaps to less desirable options, surprise fees at check-in, and difficulty getting refunds.

The warning follows a previous alert about a different scam at Turkish airports, where con artists approach foreigners and offer help buying or topping up transit cards at ticket machines—only to steal their money or card details. Beke’s advice is simple: verify everything before you pay, and never hand over cash to strangers offering a helping hand.