Urgent warning issued to Aussie travellers about worrying new scam: What you need to know

Daily Mail​

31-07-2025

Emirates has issued an urgent warning to travellers and suspended all social media advertising after a wave of fraudulent ads began duping customers into handing over personal details and buying fake tickets.
The fake adverts appearing on Facebook and Instagram mimic Emirates' official branding, use unauthorised trademarks, and send unsuspecting users to lookalike websites.
In an email to customers, Emirates said it made the drastic move to protect people from the growing scam.
'This is an important notice to alert you regarding these deceptive ads that direct users to purchase fake tickets, share personal information, or click on malicious links,' the email read.
'They often impersonate the official Emirates website using lookalike links, branded visuals, and unauthorised trademarks.
'To safeguard our customers and uphold brand integrity, Emirates has temporarily suspended all advertising on social media channels.'
The airline said it was 'actively collaborating' with platform providers to rapidly identify and remove fraudulent ads – sometimes within minutes – and urged travellers to stay vigilant and check any suspicious content carefully.
It's not the first malicious scam to target the airline this year.
In February, Emirates advised customers to be vigilant following a sophisticated fake membership offer to enrol in a discounted subscription to fly first class.
The phishing scam, posing as an ad, was offering a too-good-to-be-true deal of 10 first-class flights anywhere in the world for a $300 annual membership.
It was circulated extensively across social media.
The fake advertisements were designed to lure unsuspecting travellers into handing over their personal details, all under the false promise of luxury travel at bargain-basement prices.