Year after year, fraudsters come up with increasingly sophisticated ways to "con" tourists.
Tourists traditionally attract heightened attention from scammers and petty criminals of all kinds. Engrossed in sightseeing and overwhelmed with emotions, visitors completely lose their vigilance.
Year after year, crafty fraudsters come up with increasingly sophisticated ways to "con" tourists.
Experts from the travel publishing house Fodor's have identified the 10 main types of tourism fraud to watch out for in 2026.
"In 2026, the rules of the game have changed little. Scammers still rely on the fact that travelers are tired, distracted, and trusting, but the delivery system has changed. Now it involves QR codes, flight delay notifications, airport Wi-Fi networks, taxi orders through apps, and even USB ports for charging," the authors of the selection note.
Top 10 Tourist Frauds in 2026
1. Pickpocketing by a Group of Criminals
Pickpockets continue to thrive in popular European cities like Barcelona or Rome. Often, they act together as a coordinated group, staging a scene to get close to a potential victim. For example, one spills a drink, another distracts attention, while a third is already rummaging through bags or pockets. They are particularly interested in phones: small, light, and gone before you even notice.
2. Fake Taxi Drivers
Busy airports and nightlife areas are ideal places for taxi and rideshare scams. Criminals confidently approach tourists and even show fake logos of legitimate transport companies, but once the victim is in the car, the scam begins: the driver takes longer routes, unexpectedly adds extra charges, or insists on cash payments at inflated prices. This type of fraud is easily avoided by ordering rides only through official apps and always checking the license plate before getting in.
3. Phishing and AI-Generated Emails
Flight delay notifications, "urgent" messages from airlines, and fake booking confirmations now look almost identical to real ones. AI allows scammers to copy logos, branding, and even booking details, making these emails impossible to ignore when you are tired, distracted, or in the middle of a trip. Fraud prevention expert Husnain Bajwa from SEON warns of the most concerning signs: unexpected links to "confirm booking," prices significantly lower than market rates, or requests for payment outside official channels. A 30-second check in the airline's official app can save hundreds of dollars and a lot of stress.
4. Fake Tours, Tickets, and Experiences
Well-crafted tours and "exclusive" experiences can be found everywhere online and in real life. Some promise skip-the-line tickets, private guides, or once-in-a-lifetime adventures—but reality doesn’t always match expectations: sometimes the ticket doesn’t scan, sometimes the guide doesn’t show up at all, and sometimes the website disappears entirely, leaving the victim empty-handed. Therefore, it is always advisable to book tours and tickets through official attraction websites or platforms with good reviews. If someone offers something through direct messages on Instagram or insists that their offer is valid "only today," it is likely a scam.
5. QR Code Scams
QR codes are everywhere: menus, museum tickets, road signs. Scammers love them because such codes are easy to counterfeit and redirect travelers straight to phishing sites that steal payment information or login data. Security expert Nick Kayle points out the problem: it is currently difficult to verify whether QR codes are legitimate. Therefore, it is advisable to scan only QR codes provided by staff or clearly marked by official signs.
6. Currency Exchange and "Helpful Locals" Scams
It all starts innocently: a friendly local offers to help a tourist count bills, exchange cash, or explain the nuances of the local exchange rate. By the time the victim realizes something is wrong, a few bills will already be missing, or the rate will turn out to be much lower than expected. Such scams thrive where bills are colorful, similar to each other, or simply confusing. Therefore, tourists should only use banks, ATMs, or official exchange offices for currency exchange.
7. Short-Term Rental Scams
Tourists still fall for fake rental listings during their vacations, especially during peak season. Scammers copy photos from real listings, set prices so low that they seem like a great deal, and demand payment outside the platform. Tourism expert Christian Petzold notes that these scams work because the listings look credible until the guest arrives at their destination. Polished photos, familiar designs, and sudden urgency are all part of the trick.
8. Fake SMS About Toll Payments
Tourists renting cars abroad often fall victim to "smishing"—receiving SMS messages notifying them of unpaid tolls and demanding immediate payment of a small amount to avoid fines. This scam works because delays in toll payments are common when renting cars, and travelers are often already on the road when the message arrives. Additionally, no one wants to risk getting into legal trouble abroad.
9. Fake Compensation for Flight Cancellations and Rebooking
Scammers may send an SMS that looks like a message from an airline about a flight cancellation, an email with real flight numbers, a direct message, or even a call that appears to be from the airline's support service. However, airlines never charge for rebooking through pop-ups, direct messages, or unsolicited SMS messages. In case of doubt, before clicking on any link, it is advisable to check the airline's app, the official website, or consult a staff member at the check-in desk.
10. Public Charging Device and Wi-Fi Scams
In public USB charging ports, which are usually found throughout the airport, scammers can install malware or equipment to steal data. In such cases, a tourist's smartphone can be hacked in seconds, and they may not even notice it. Cybersecurity expert Danny Jenkins, a former ethical hacker and CEO of ThreatLocke, confirms that this is a real threat. Therefore, it is always better to use wall outlets or bring a portable charger.
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