Brit passports & holiday bookings SOLD on dark web for £8 after travellers make common phone mistake we're all guilty of

The Irish Sun

16-07-2025

HOLIDAYMAKERS have been warned that cyber criminals are selling everything from passport details to boarding passes for as little as £8 on the dark web.
Once they're sold off into the wrong hands they could be used to apply for credit cards in your name or even access your bank account.
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Experts are urging holidaymakers to take immediate action to protect their personal data
Credit: Getty
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Documents fetch as little as £8 online - which enable other criminals to carry out a range of fraud
Credit: Getty
Experts have cautioned Brits against a common phone mistake that could make it all too easy for online thieves operating on the dark web.
And the seemingly innocent error starts by simply having a photo of your passport on a phone or backed up to the cloud.
Why? Well, if a hacker uses malware to raid your phone they can access that copy and impersonate you to apply for a credit card.
The same goes for any travel agencies who might ask you to send them a digital copy of your passport ahead of your holiday, as you don't know how safe their systems are.
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Researchers at NordVPN and Saily uncovered thousands of shocking forums on the dark web forums.
On offer are passport scans,
But not all passports are created equal when it comes to sales on the dark web, with some countries' passports, like Kazakhstan, fetching a maximum of £175.
The details of British passports, as well as those from EU countries, are typically more expensive to acquire, fetching upwards of £4,000 for uncompromised and valid copies.
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When passports are recorded as missing or stolen and invalidated, the risk of fraud is reduced, but such documents can still slip past some companies with more relaxed reviewing procedures, NordVPN warned.
Scans of these compromised passports can sell for as little as £8.
What do you need to do to ensure your passport is OK for travel?
"The best way you can protect yourself against these types of fraud is to ensure that all of your devices are kept updated with antivirus software and make sure that anything related to your holiday booking is saved in a secure place," said Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN.
'If you have been asked by your travel agent to send over a copy of your passport, don't be afraid to ask them what they do with that scan once your booking has been completed.
"Never be shy about protecting your privacy.
'Take precautions in the airport too, and don't leave boarding passes in public places, as even these have enough information to put you at risk of identity fraud.
"While you are away, regularly monitor bank accounts to detect suspicious activity early, as well as report lost or stolen documents promptly to limit exposure.
"Passports and travel documents that have been reported as missing or invalid are practically worthless on the dark web.
"Taking out travel insurance is no longer just about losing your suitcase at the airport, it covers you for every eventuality – even a sophisticated scam like having your hotel booking stolen."
What to do if you think you've been scammed
IF you've lost money in a scam, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or by visiting Actionfraud.police.uk.
You should also contact your bank or credit card provider immediatley to see if they can stop or trace the cash.
If you don't think your bank has managed your complaint correctly, or if you're unhappy with the verdict it gives on your case you can complain to the free
Also monitor your credit report in the months following the fraud to ensure crooks don't make further attempts to steal your cash.