Police warn of new travel scam hitting major UK airports that could see you lose hundreds
BRITS are being warned of a scam spreading across some of the UK's biggest airports.
Passengers at Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton, have been warned by police of the new scam after several passengers have already been targeted.
3
The scam has been reported at three London airports
Credit: Getty
Tourists are been approached shortly after landing typically at the arrivals hall - by individuals posing as official airport staff or prebooked drivers.
The scammers are often noted wearing smart clothing, carrying clipboards or signs and sometimes present fake ID.
They then claim that the tourist's scheduled hotel pick-up or transport has been cancelled, changed, or upgraded.
The traveller is then offered immediate transportation to their destination — usually in an unmarked vehicle parked outside — in exchange for a high, cash-only fare.
Read more on travel scams
In many cases, victims are dropped far from their destination or asked for additional
money
en route.
A taxi ride from London Heathrow to Soho in central London can cost up to £85 - however, with scams like these you will most likely spend more cash direct to the driver, once they have you in their car.
Currently, scams are occurring most at
Scammers tend to
target
Most read in News Travel
Reports indicate that the scam is most active at Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5, Gatwick's South Terminal, and Luton Airport's main arrivals area.
According to the data of
Why it's important to buy travel insurance when booking a holiday
A spokesperson for London Metropolitan Police's Aviation Command said: "These individuals prey on vulnerable passengers using confident language and forged credentials to appear legitimate."
Ski Vertigo warned that travellers should be aware demands for immediate cash payment - often without offering a receipt.
They should also look out for unauthorised individuals approaching without prior contact, pressure to act quickly, refusal to provide vehicle registration or driver credentials and vague answers when asked about your booking or destination.
Ski Vertigo added: "Anyone who approaches you without confirmation from your hotel or transfer provider should be treated with caution."
To stay safe, opt for authorised minicabs or ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Bolt, or FREE NOW - all of which operate at
Travellers can also verify transport with airport help desks or directly with accommodation before leaving the terminal.
3
Ski Vertigo advises travellers to book transport via verified apps or minicabs
Credit: Getty
Also, do not share personal travel details with anyone who approaches you unsolicited and use card or app payments whenever possible.
Ski Vertigo concluded: "Most scams rely on confusion and haste. Travellers who prepare their airport transfers in advance and know what to expect are far less likely to be caught off guard."
There is also a
Plus, the
3
The scammers are mainly targeting long-haul travellers
Credit: Getty
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Magaluf looks empty as Brits ‘shun hols hotspot because they are tired of being demonised' while resort cleans up image
MAGALUF is looking unusually bare as Brits shunned the popular holiday spot after feeling "tired of being demonised". Dozens of beach sunbeds lay empty as the usual UK Advertisement 9 Deck chairs lay empty in the Spanish resort Credit: Solarpix 9 Restaurants that were once filled with boozing Brits appeared bare Credit: Solarpix 9 Figures published last week showed Benidorm's leading visitors were Brits and its average hotel occupancy rate had reached almost 85 per cent in May. Meanwhile, pictures of the Spanish resort showed Deck chairs that would previously have been filled with boozing Brits sat empty, whilst The barren resort is a positive change for many locals, who despaired at the "touristification" of their town. Advertisement Read more on World They're welcoming instead a new wave of tourists hailing from different Nightclub boss, Migue Perez-Masra, told local press that Playa de Palma, near the Majorcan capital, has seen a sharp increase in German tourists. 9 Once crowd-stricken streets now seemed visibly empty Credit: Solarpix 9 The barren resort is a positive change for many locals Credit: Solarpix Advertisement 9 Magaluf was branded a lawless party resort Credit: Solarpix He claimed young Brits are turning their backs on Magaluf after feeling 'demonized" by locals. The area is now seeing more and more French and Italian visitors too. Most read in The Sun Breaking Attempts to clean up the resort's image come as Magaluf was branded a lawless party resort after a shocking sex video emerged in June 2014 showing a British tourist performing sex acts on 24 men in a bar. Advertisement The 18-year-old at the centre of the viral footage was reportedly duped into performing the sex acts for what she thought was a free break that turned out to be a cocktail named 'Holiday'. At the time, Spanish politician Jose Ramon Bauza, branded Punta Ballena - Magaluf's strip - as '500 metres of shame'. Anti-tourist mob attacks holidaymakers with water guns as they vow Spain faces 'long hot summer' of protest carnage The bar was ordered to close for a year whilst authorities cracked the whip on unruly behaviour. Fines of up to £50,000 were introduced for holidaymakers caught leaping off their hotel balconies, whilst limits were set on the amount of alcohol served at all-inclusive hotels. Advertisement Further restrictions in Spanish party resorts were introduced last year. In parts of Majorca and Ibiza, tourists can be fined up to £1,300 for drinking on the streets and shops are now only allowed to sell alcohol at certain times. Britain's then-Ambassador to Spain Hugh Elliott urged holidaymakers in the Majorcan party resort to 'show responsibility' and remember they were "guests" in Spain. This Sunday Advertisement The demo has been organised by activist organisation Menys Turisme, Mes Vida, with 60 groups already pledging to take part. Protestors from other cities including A Menys Turisme, Mes Vida spokesman said last week: 'We will demonstrate for the right to a decent life and to demand the brakes are put on the touristification of this island.' 9 Many locals lamented at the loss of their town to boozing Brits Credit: Solarpix Advertisement 9 Residents said they're welcoming in a new stream of tourists from Europe Credit: Solarpix 9 Restrictions in Spanish party resorts were introduced last year Credit: Solarpix
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Why is Sadio Mane not playing for Senegal vs England?
SADIO Mane is not playing for Senegal in the friendly against England at the City TONIGHT! Here we take a look at why the forward, who plays domestically for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, is missing out on international duty. 1 Sadio Mane is not in the Senegal squad for the friendly against England Credit: Getty Why is Sadio Mane not playing? Despite appearing fully fit and having had a productive season, the former d. The official explanation from the coach revealed that He told a press conference: "It is a personal decision that belongs to Mane — and I respect it as a coach. Sadio is a very important player for us. read more on sadio Mané 'But I don't coach one player, I coach 26 players, and so the most important thing is the collective. "I have put together a squad of players who are available and ready to fight with pride for the national jersey.' It's not something he makes a habit out of — Many believe the winger's withdrawal was influenced by a wave of criticism following Senegal's recent Most read in Football Despite his long-standing status as a national hero, Mane faced scrutiny from some fans over his performances. Speaking candidly after the games, Mane said: 'A lot is said about me and I think I'm the most criticised player in Senegal. Shocking moment fuming Sadio Mane grabs rival by THROAT as commentator blasts 'very foolish' ex-Liverpool star "I don't have a problem with it. Everyone is free to give their opinion. " But there must be better things to do than criticise Sadio Man e. What does it even get you?" Another significant factor behind Mane's absence could be his religious commitment. While no official reason for his absence was provided, reports confirmed that he was visiting Mina, Saudi Arabia, to perform the Hajj pilgrimage — one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam. The spiritual journey is a deeply personal and important religious duty. This might explain why Mane would choose to prioritise it over participating in the June international fixtures, if that were the case. So Mane's absence from the Senegal squad against England seems to be down to a combination of personal reasons. These include a possible need to step back from international duties amid public criticism, while also potentially taking time to fulfil a major religious obligation. How to watch England vs Senegal The match will kick-off at 7.45pm BST The clash will be broadcast live on ITV1 You can live stream the friendly for FREE via the ITVX Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport's live blog
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Huge blackout hits Brit holiday hotspot leaving tens of thousands without power after ‘turbine failed'
A MASSIVE power outage has left a British holiday hotspot completely dark. Outages began around 5:30pm and were first detected in homes and offices on the island of La Palma. Advertisement 2 The entire island was left dark by the outage Credit: Getty The isle was left completely dark by the massive outage with tens of thousands of residents left without power. It is thought the outage was caused by the tripping of a generating turbine. An estimated 50,289 users across the island have been affected by the huge blackout. Previous outages have hit the island's major cities with the biggest, Los Llanos de Aridane, left dark in recent months. Advertisement Desperate restoration efforts are underway on the island with authorities scrambling to fix the issue. Authorities have instructed residents to stay calm as they work to restore power to the island. It comes after a series of blackouts have hit the island in recent months. Santa Cruze de Palma, Los Llanos de Aridane and El Paso have all experienced recent power outages. Advertisement Most read in The Sun The latest of these, on May 8, left the power out for hours and affected several of the eight municipalities in La Palma. Today's outage has been the worst of the recent blackouts with power out across the whole island and tens of thousands of users affected. The Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres said: "I send all my support to the people of La Palma." He went on to promise that power would be restored as soon as possible. Advertisement 2 Authorities are working to restore power as soon as possible Credit: Alamy
