Fraudulent Social Media Accounts Posing as Travel Agencies on the Rise
Fraudulent social media accounts pretending to be travel agencies and offering exclusive deals have seen a significant increase in recent months. EGL Tours, a popular choice among Hongkongers planning trips to Japan, has discovered over 100 fake Facebook pages using its name.
Victims of these scams were asked to transfer money to a personal bank account as payment for tickets or travel packages. However, they did not receive any booking confirmation and were unable to contact the seller again. It was only when they reached out to the actual travel agencies that they realized they had been scammed.
Impersonation and Deceptive Offers
One of the fake accounts, using the name and trademark of “EGL Tours” without a blue Facebook verification badge, offered two round-trip business-class tickets to Tokyo with Cathay Pacific Airways for as low as HK$6,590. This account had amassed 100,000 followers and received 38,000 likes.
However, the official Facebook page of EGL Tours, which displays both its English and Chinese names, has 176,000 likes and 185,000 followers.
Increasing Rampant Scams
Since the resumption of quarantine-free travel at the beginning of the year, impersonation of travel agencies by fraudsters has become increasingly rampant. This has caused significant distress within the industry, as victims often direct their anger towards the travel agencies and may even seek compensation from them.
Lawmaker Perry Yiu Pak-leung, representing the tourism sector, emphasized that these travel agencies are also victims and called for action to safeguard the interests of the industry.
Warning and Seeking Solutions
EGL Tours discovered 103 fraudulent Facebook pages mimicking their company since July, offering fake hotel and buffet packages, flight deals, and concert tickets at unreasonably low prices. The company has received over 20,000 customer inquiries and noticed an alarming trend of scam cases.
Despite multiple complaints to Meta, Facebook’s parent company, EGL Tours was unable to obtain the official verification badge for its page. It was only after sending a legal letter and related media coverage that they finally received the “blue tick” on Saturday.
The Hong Kong Travel Agents’ Relief Alliance Council has issued a memo to members, warning customers about fake social media advertisements. They have also planned a meeting with the police to seek advice and discuss follow-up actions.
Remaining Vigilant
Francis Fong Po-kiu, honorary president of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, urged residents to stay vigilant when encountering special offers on social media. He advised people to be cautious if the page operator repeatedly asks for personal information to book flights and make payments.
Author’s Quote: “Protect Yourself from Travel Scams”
“It is crucial for travelers to be aware of the rising number of fraudulent social media accounts posing as travel agencies. Always verify the legitimacy of the page and never make payments to personal bank accounts. Protect yourself from travel scams and ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.”
Author’s Conclusion: Stay Informed and Stay Safe
As the number of fake social media accounts targeting travelers continues to rise, it is essential to stay informed and cautious. Be wary of suspiciously low-priced offers and always verify the authenticity of the travel agency. By remaining vigilant, we can protect ourselves from falling victim to these scams and ensure a secure travel experience.
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
