Brit holidaymakers warned of ‘perfect storm' this summer leaving you with massive bill – check 5 ‘red flags'
BRITISH holidaymakers are being warned they could be walking straight into a 'perfect storm' - all thanks to a surge in romance scams targeting tourists abroad.
Across the UK, Brits are getting ready to start their summer holidays, packing suitcases, booking last-minute flights, and looking forward to relaxing in the sun.
Advertisement
2
Scammers know that when people go on holiday, they let their guard down
Credit: Getty
But behind the scenes of holiday fun and relaxation, there's a growing threat many aren't aware of.
Experts warn that criminals are preying on travellers' emotions — using carefully crafted lies, fake love stories, and emotional manipulation to scam unsuspecting victims.
This summer, many people risk facing heartbreak and devastating financial losses if caught off guard.
The warning comes as fraud analysts raise the alarm across popular tourist destinations like Spain, Greece and Italy, where scammers are increasingly preying on vulnerable British tourists.
Advertisement
Read more on Technology
Scammers know that when people go on holiday, they let their guard down.
They're more open to making connections, more likely to share personal details online, and often unfamiliar with local customs.
This makes them ideal targets for
Romance scams are no longer rare or isolated.
Advertisement
Most read in Tech
Exclusive
In fact, last year alone, over $1.3 billion was lost in romance scams in the
UK cases are steadily climbing, with victims often too embarrassed to speak out.
And these scams don't just play out on dating apps.
Criminals are lurking on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and even LinkedIn.
Advertisement
They're also showing up in travel forums, Airbnb experiences, and WhatsApp groups – ready to charm their way into someone's confidence.
Holiday romances might sound like harmless fun, but if someone you're chatting to online says they love you after two days, wants to talk about marriage before you've even met, or keeps cancelling plans to meet up, alarm bells should ring.
Romance Scammer Jailed Again - Sharon's Story
This kind of fast-forward intimacy is often a tactic known as love bombing – a classic move used by scammers.
Other red flags include people who ask for money in emergencies – whether it's for a stolen passport, hospital bill or a sudden need to book a flight.
Advertisement
It's always urgent, and it's always fake.
If someone insists you keep the relationship secret or pressures you to switch conversations to private apps like Telegram or WhatsApp, that's another sign something's wrong.
McAfee has also warned about a rise in scams tailored specifically for the summer travel crowd.
One common trick is the 'travel buddy' scam, where someone meets you on a travel app or forum and suggests tagging along on your trip.
Advertisement
Once you book flights or accommodation, they either disappear or show up expecting you to foot the bill for everything.
Then there's the 'local lover' con – a charming local sweeps you off your feet, says they want to visit you in the UK, but needs help covering visa fees, insurance or a plane ticket.
These stories are carefully scripted to tug at your heartstrings – and your wallet.
Another risk comes from 'digital dating' scams abroad.
Advertisement
If your dating app suddenly starts buzzing the moment you land in a tourist hotspot, it's probably not a coincidence.
Scammers use geo-location tools to target tourists in areas known for high visitor traffic, knowing people are often more emotionally open and less cautious when travelling.
And in a modern twist, the 'crypto Casanova' scam is becoming more common.
Here, someone builds a connection with you, casually mentioning their success with cryptocurrency.
Advertisement
Before long, they're offering to help you invest – but the platform they guide you to is fake, and once you send money, they vanish.
While all of this might sound like a warning to avoid holiday romance altogether, McAfee says the key isn't fear – it's awareness.
Travellers are being urged to stay smart online.
The 5 red flags to avoid
They move too fast.
They avoid meeting in person or always have a reason to cancel.
They need money—urgently.
They ask you to keep the relationship private.
They want to take the chat off-platform.
That means not sharing too much personal information, especially travel details like hotel names or flight numbers.
Advertisement
Never send money to someone you've only met online, no matter how convincing their story sounds.
Trust your instincts, but also use your head – if something feels off, it probably is.
If someone claims to be in the same country as you but only replies in the middle of the night, that's a possible red flag.
Likewise, if you've had a few drinks, think twice before sending sensitive messages or clicking on suspicious links.
Advertisement
Scammers often take advantage when people are relaxed and not thinking clearly.
Always tell a friend back home who you're talking to.
A second opinion can often spot things you might miss.
And avoid using public Wi-Fi to access sensitive accounts or dating apps – use a secure VPN if you need to connect while travelling.
Advertisement
If you suspect you're being scammed, act quickly. Cut off all contact without warning or explanation. Block the person immediately and report them to the platform. If you've already sent money, inform your bank as soon as possible – they may be able to help.
And most importantly, don't stay silent.
Scammers rely on shame to keep victims from speaking out. You are not alone, and you're not foolish. These criminals are skilled manipulators with tried-and-tested tactics.
2
McAfee has also warned about a rise in scams tailored specifically for the summer travel crowd
Credit: AFP
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Former Chelsea star, 46, handed five-year ban from all football activity following dispute with Samuel Eto'o
FORMER Chelsea star Geremi has landed a five-year ban from football - after a dispute with fellow ex-Blue Samuel Eto'o. The Cameroon international won Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 while at Stamford Bridge. 3 Geremi has been given a five-year ban from football Credit: Getty 3 The former Chelsea midfielder won two Premier League titles with the Blues Credit: Getty 3 The 46-year-old has been in dispute with ex-Chelsea star Samuel Eto'o Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd Midfielder Geremi also played for The 46-year-old has headed the Cameroon players' union Synafoc in recent years. But the West African country's FA, Fecafoot, has now banned him from football until 2030, as well as fining him £13,000. Ex- READ MORE ON FOOTBALL Their dispute dates back to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast, when Geremi is said to have had a dressing-room row with one of Eto'o's staff. Fecafoot's ethics committee announced: "We declare Geremi Sorel Njitap, the president of Synafoc, guilty of breaking the behaviour rules of our code of ethics. "We sentence him to a ban from all forms of football activity for five years, and to a fine of ten million West African francs [£13,000]. "He has ten days to submit a written appeal." Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Geremi's assistant Daniel Blaise Ngos has meanwhile been banned for two years and fined £6,500 for his part in the dispute. The midfielder won 118 caps for Cameroon, scoring 13 goals for the Indomitable Lions. Chelsea launch Club World Cup campaign with 2-0 victory over LAFC in Atlanta He helped them win Olympic gold in 2000, as well as two Africa Cups of Nations. A La Liga winner with Madrid in 2001, he also played for clubs in Paraguay, Turkey and Greece. He
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Mike Lynch's sunken superyacht set to be lifted this weekend
Tech tycoon Mike Lynch's sunken superyacht is due to be raised from the seabed off the coast of Sicily this weekend. The 56-metre (184ft) Bayesian is set to be lifted to the surface near the fishing town of Porticello on Saturday or Sunday before being taken to nearby Termini Imerese — where Italian prosecutors investigating the sinking are based. Investigators in the UK and Italy say raising the vessel is crucial to fully understanding what happened. The complex work to safely recover the Bayesian has been progressed quickly in the past week by the contractors' personnel. Over the coming days, all going well, the vessel's final recovery will take place this weekend and lead to her ultimate safe delivery to the authorities in Termini Imerese Last week, salvage teams expected the boat to be raised later in June, but thanks to 'accelerated progress', the timeline was brought forward. The yacht's 72-metre (236ft) mast was cut off on Tuesday using a remote-controlled tool and rested on the seabed to be picked up later. Over the next few days, workers will fit hoses and plugs into the fuel tank vents on the yacht's right side, which had been lying flat on the seabed. The yacht will then be slowly tilted fully upright, supported by strong steel straps attached to Hebo Lift 10 — one of Europe's most powerful sea cranes. If all goes to plan, the boat will be lifted to the surface before being carried to Termini Imerese on Monday, where it will be lifted onto a specially made steel cradle on the quayside. Marcus Cave of British firm TMC Marine, which is overseeing the salvage efforts, said: 'The complex work to safely recover the Bayesian has been progressed quickly in the past week by the contractors' personnel. Over the coming days, all going well, the vessel's final recovery will take place this weekend and lead to her ultimate safe delivery to the authorities in Termini Imerese.' Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah died after the luxury yacht Bayesian sank in a storm off the coast of Porticello, Sicily (Family Handout/PA) The vessel was originally expected to be raised last month but salvage efforts were delayed after a diver died during underwater work on May 9, prompting greater use of remote-controlled equipment. Billionaire Mr Lynch, 59, and his daughter Hannah, 18, were among seven people who died when the Bayesian sank off the coast of the Italian island on August 19. About 70 specialist personnel had been mobilised to the fishing village of Porticello from across Europe to work on the recovery operation, which began last month. Inquest proceedings in the UK are looking at the deaths of Mr Lynch and his daughter, as well as Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his wife, Judy Bloomer, 71, who were all British nationals. Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigators said in an interim report that the Bayesian was knocked over by 'extreme wind'. The yacht had a vulnerability to winds, but the owner and crew would not have known, the report said. An Italian coastguard boat on the water on the fifth day of the search and recovery operation after the luxury yacht Bayesian sank (Jonathan Brady/PA) The others who died in the sinking were US lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo, and Canadian-Antiguan national Recaldo Thomas, who was working as a chef on the vessel. Fifteen people, including Mr Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, were rescued. Mr Lynch and his daughter were said to have lived in the vicinity of London, and the Bloomers lived in Sevenoaks in Kent. The tycoon founded software giant Autonomy in 1996 and was cleared in June last year of carrying out a massive fraud over the sale of the firm to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011. The boat trip was a celebration of his acquittal in the case in the US.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish tourist goes to EU airport and shows off 'major' difference Brits face
A holidaymaker has shared the airport perks those with an Irish passport get to experience after landing overseas compared to Brits. Comedian Peter Flanagan arrived in Malaga Airport and recorded himself filing through an empty queue at Brits waited for non-EU border control. Taunting them as he waltzed through, he said: "The humble and brave country of Ireland. Look at that now, oh yeah, that's good, that's good." Britain officially left the EU in 2020 following the Brexit referendum in 2016. Since then, everyone with a British passport has been forced to queue up to enter a separate passport control queue before entering a country in the EU. As part of the referendum result, Brits lost the right of free movement afforded to EU citizens. Commenting on his TikTok video, one user said: "Yes, UK passport holders will be able to use e-gates in the EU, following an agreement between the UK and the EU, though implementation will be phased in starting in October 2025." Another user added: "I showed my Irish passport to UK customs officer and he said at least you have a real passport!" A third user said: "This is what we voted for. Some of us were educated and knew this kind of thing would happen and didn't vote for this." One more user added: "We British people would rather spend an extra 10 minutes waiting for immigration than waste billions to support the EU bureaucracy." It comes after anti-tourism protests broke out across Spain. For months, locals have been taking a stand against soaring rents and lack of affordable homes. Protesters have even spray-painted heritage sites in their own countries with explicit messages to express their outrage, with some translating to "f***ing tourists" and "get out of our city." One of the defaced buildings is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, which dates back to the 14th century, and is the official residence of the King and Queen during their stays in Majorca. Together with the Cathedral of Palma, it is a landmark of the capital of the Balearic Islands. Historic stone walls near the 'Hort del Rei botanical gardens and Dalt Murada, a restored manor house, have also been targeted. The area is visited by thousands of tourists who say they are shocked by the messages, while some official tour guides have reiterated their fury. Tour guide company Pro Guías Majorca said that the graffiti is regretful and an attack on Palma's heritage, making it clear that "there are many ways to protest, as long as the forms are appropriate, and it is an inalienable right. But this is unforgivable." They say that the person "who has done this, is against himself and the values that constitute us as a community". Residents who have grown used to repeated demonstrations and protest marches against mass tourism have also taken to the social networks to condemn the vandalism. "I am against excess tourism but also against graffiti. One thing does not take away from the other," said one. Another posted: "Now it turns out that Majorca's number one enemy is the tourist, without thinking that hundreds of thousands of people eat every day thanks to tourists. This should also be considered a hate crime."
