Brit holidaymakers warned of ‘perfect storm' this summer leaving you with massive bill – check 5 ‘red flags'
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 Journal
35 minutes ago
- The Journal
'This is all I want to do': Meet the Dubliner documenting Ireland's marine life
IRELAND'S MARINE LIFE may appear underrepresented compared to our wildlife – there is much talk of our flóra agus fána , but perhaps slightly less about our ainmhithe agus éisc mhara . Joey Batt, a 32-year-old health and safety and operations coordinator at Dublin Port, thinks so anyways. That's why he's taken to sharing his hobby documenting marine life off Ireland's west coast online to his tens of thousands of followers. The Journal / YouTube Batt was born and raised in Sheriff Street in the north inner city of Dublin. He told The Journal that before Covid hit, he had left Dublin only twice: once to go to Spain and once to France on school holidays. 'We used to go to Balbriggan [in north county Dublin] every year,' he said. He bought his first drone roughly eight years ago to use as a hobby, and then began using it to take pictures. It was only during the Covid years that he began to take interest in what was going on in Irish waters. He and a friend set off in the car when restrictions lifted and decided to head somewhere. 'We just opened Google Maps and said, 'where will go we go?' and we just zoomed in on everywhere. We just found a place and there was blue water on the map, so we said we'd go there.' They drove four and a half hours to Keem Bay in Co Mayo. 'When you turn up around that bend on a sunny day you're just like, what even is this?' Batt said. There were dolphins there at the time. Now, Batt spends most of his weekends travelling the west coast and documenting marine life on his TikTok and Instagram pages, Dublin Drone, which have a combined following of almost 100,000. Dingle Bay's Humpback whale captured in full flight. Joey Batt / Instagram Joey Batt / Instagram / Instagram When he spoke to The Journal earlier this week, he hadn't long returned from five days at Loop Head in Co Clare where he observed basking sharks swimming in formations. 'This is probably one of the rarest events that sharks do,' he said. 'You have these basking sharks that arrive off the coast out of nowhere, and they all just come together in big formations.' It only happens once a year for around a week and there is not a set date to look out for – Batt received word that it had begun and he dropped everything to head straight to Clare. Advertisement 'They still don't exactly know what they're doing, but they're swimming in these beautiful formations,' he said. Tourists gathered to watch the occasion and in the evening times, locals would head down to observe the annual phenomenon. Joey Batt / Instagram Joey Batt / Instagram / Instagram Batt devotes enormous amounts of time to his documentation of these events, but makes no money from it. In Ireland, the only way to make money off social media is through sponsorships and paid advertisements, which Batt has decided not to attach himself to. His main focus is on raising awareness in Ireland of the vastness and intricacies of Irish marine life. 'The plan is to try to help highlight what's out there,' he said. 'That's all I want to do – to really highlight what's in Irish waters.' A grey seal colony relaxing on the edge of Bull Island. Joey Batt / Instagram Joey Batt / Instagram / Instagram He said that many people have no idea the extent of marine mammals close to the country's coast. 'I didn't even know we had dolphins,' he said, before he had travelled to other parts of the country several years ago. The Journal / YouTube For those interested in viewing more of marine life or travelling to various parts of Ireland, Batt recommends both Dingle Bay and Donegal Bay. Dingle Bay is a prime spot to view dolphins, basking sharks, fin whales, and minke whales, depending on the time of year, he said. 'You have the large colony of seals down in Dingle: Ireland's largest colony of grey seals is down in Dingle on the Blasket Island Beach.' And Donegal Bay? 'I'd call it the humpback central of Ireland. Every year they have so many humpbacks.' Next month, he's to begin a marine mammal course, having been put forward for it by Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I moved to Spain 4 years ago & will never be bored of it – I don't work & pick my kids up from school & go to the pool
Jodie revealed how people can also make the move to Spain LIFE'S A BEACH I moved to Spain 4 years ago & will never be bored of it – I don't work & pick my kids up from school & go to the pool A MUM has shared how her family ditched the UK to live in Spain four years ago and will 'never be bored' of her new life. Jodie Marlow, who shares clips of her new sunny lifestyle online, shared how she doesn't miss the rainy weather at all, and spends her days enjoying the sun. 5 UK mum Jodie Marlow has 17,000 followers who follow her new life in Spain Credit: Tiktok/JodieMarlow 5 Jodie picks her kids up from school at 1.30pm in summer and takes them straight to the pool Credit: Tiktok/JodieMarlow 5 Jodie said she will never get bored of her life in Spain Credit: Getty Jodie, who is a stay-at-home mum, said her two boys finish school at 1.30pm in summer and they spend afternoons playing in the pool. In a clip on her @jodiemar1ow account, which has over 1,790 likes, she said: 'Four years in & don't think I'll ever get bored of this.' She added that the weather is perfect for her, with temperatures in the top 20s or 30s every day. Jodie said: 'It's not too hot, not too cold. Like, I can wear my nice summer dresses, which I love.' When her kids are at school, she spends her time picking up fruit and veg at the local market, or going for a pamper, including laser hair surgery. She then does housework before picking up the boys and having some lunch with them. Meanwhile, weekends are spent exploring gorgeous nearby beaches and dining out in local restaurants. MOVING TO SPAIN Finally, Jodie advised people on how they can also make the move to Spain. She shared: 'If you hold a UK British passport, you can't just move to Spain like you could pre-Brexit, you do need a visa. 'The working visa you could look into getting dependent on if you've got a specialised job. I quit my job and did a complete 180 moving to Spain - beer is just $3 a pint and my life is so much better 'The self-employed visa, basically they said to us it's just impossible to get, so we didn't even try with that. 'But the digital nomad visa allows anyone that is working online, as long as you are earning a set amount of money that provides for if there's four of you for the family, you can pay for all four of you, and they set out exactly how much that would be.' Since Brexit, UK citizens, and non-EU citizens require a visa to stay longer than 90 days. 5 Jodie said the weather is usually perfect for her Credit: Getty SOCIAL REACTION Many people were quick to chime in and comment on her new life in Spain, and praise her for making the move. One said: 'It's beautiful there, my sister moved there 26 yrs ago, no regrets.' A second added: 'I don't think you could ever get bored of that lifestyle.' Meanwhile, and a third joked: 'You sure you wouldn't rather be stuck indoors looking out at the rain?' Jodie replied: 'deffo don't miss that side of the uk.' 5 Jodie advised getting a digital nomad visa if you want to make the move Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Haunting moment Iran hangs murderer from crane in front of ghoulish crowd including kids in latest grim public execution
It comes amid a surge in public executions and sham trials REGIME OF DEATH Haunting moment Iran hangs murderer from crane in front of ghoulish crowd including kids in latest grim public execution THIS is the chilling moment Iran's tyrants hang a murderer from a crane in front of a grim, cheering crowd of locals and children. Sajad Molayi Hakani was killed in the city of Kordkuy, Golestan after being found guilty of robbery and murdering a mum and her three kids in October. 3 This is the haunting moment a man is hanged in front of a cheering crowd 3 He is seen attached to a crane by a noose around his neck Advertisement 3 Crowds of locals and children gathered to watch the horrific event unfold He was sentenced to qisas, which means retaliation in kind in Islamic law, with his wife also due to be executed in prison at a later date. Haunting footage shows the man standing on a platform with a noose around his neck as crowds gather to watch the horrific event. The rope is attached to the crane, which appears to be controlled by a member of the execution team. Advertisement It comes as rattled supreme leader Ali Khamenei ordered a surge in executions - turning hangings into public spectacles in a chilling warning to dissidents. Read more on World SEA OF STEEL Iran helicopter faces off with US warship in Gulf in pathetic show of force Iran has repeatedly unleashed lethal force on its own people - especially at times of crisis - in a sickening bid to stamp out rebellion. Executions and arrests are weaponised to scare dissidents, and it is feared panicked Ayatollah Khamenei is planning a similar plot to the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners. The regime was also in turmoil that year after accepting a ceasefire with Iraq. Advertisement Chillingly, state-run Fars News Agency - a mouthpiece of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - last month issued a public call to repeat 1998's inhumane massacre as the regime fears for its survival. British politicians and leading human rights lawyers have urged the UK government to intervene to prevent such an atrocity. Alongside the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), they also criticised the focus on Tehran's nuclear programme, warning that it has overshadowed the worsening human rights crisis. Iran Executes Nuclear Scientist Accused of Spying for Mossad Amid Escalating Espionage Crackdown Baroness O'Loan DBE said: "Those threatening our national security are the same individuals planning atrocities in Iran's prisons. So, we must act, now." Dowlat Nowrouzi, the NCRI's UK representative, told The Sun: "The international community's failure to hold the regime accountable for its atrocities, including crimes against humanity and genocide, has allowed the regime to enjoy impunity. Advertisement "It is long overdue to hold Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, and others accountable for committing these crimes." Earlier this year, Saeed Masouri, who spent 25 years behind bars, also revealed how the execution rate has spiralled. In June alone, the regime's merciless killing spree saw at least 176 inmates sent to the gallows. Masouri, who was arrested for his affiliation with the resistance unit People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, revealed the secret process behind executions. Psychological torture, threats against family and sham trials are all used as tools by the regime to condemn its enemies to death on trumped-up charges. Advertisement Defendants - and their lawyers - are often even denied access to their own files, making it near impossible to be cleared. Hossein Abedini, deputy director of the NCRI offices in the UK, said paranoid rules were hellbent on stamping out repression. He told The Sun: "Executions under the clerical regime contravene all internationally recognised standards and norms of due process and are fundamentally used as a political instrument of repression. "Faced with deep-rooted crises stemming from illegitimacy, corruption, and incompetence, and driven by fear of popular uprisings and nationwide protests, this regime has resorted to increasing executions. "It employs inhumane pressures on political prisoners, torturing and harassing them and their families. Advertisement "As a result, the rate of executions in Iran is rising at an unprecedented level in recent decades, with death sentences issued even for political prisoners arrested during the September 2022 uprising."
