How to spot a fake travel website? Every traveler should know this; a small mistake could prove costly..

As the holiday season begins, enticing offers like "80% Off," "Dubai Tour for only ₹9,999," or "Europe Trip at a Throwaway Price" start appearing on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. Tempted by these deals, many people make immediate payments, only to discover later that the entire website was fake. This not only ruins the holiday but also drains their bank accounts.

How do fake travel websites operate?
Fraudsters create websites that look highly professional and closely resemble genuine platforms like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Yatra, or Booking.com. They lure you with massive discounts and pressure you to make a quick payment. Once they have the money, they vanish.

How to spot a fake website

Excessive discounts
Discounts of 70–80% or more are usually fake; genuine websites rarely offer such massive price cuts.
Check the website address (URL)
Legitimate websites always use the correct domain name.
Examples:

Genuine: makemytrip.com
Fake: makemytrip-sale.in, makemytrip-discount.net

HTTPS and the lock icon
Every secure website displays "https" and a lock icon, though fraudsters can sometimes replicate this feature on fake sites as well.

Customer reviews and ratings
A sudden influx of hundreds of 5-star reviews on a new website is suspicious.
Contact details
Fake websites often lack contact details (phone number, address, customer care email) or provide incorrect information.

Simple safety measures
Always book through official apps or websites.
Do not click on unknown links.
When making a payment, use the official payment gateway rather than direct UPI transfers or sharing card details.
If in doubt, try making a small payment first.
Keep Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enabled.

What to do if you get scammed?
Immediately call your bank and ask them to stop the transaction.
Call 1930 (Cyber ​​Helpline) or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. Dreaming of a holiday trip is great, but losing your money by falling for the lure of an 80% discount is foolish. Always stay vigilant, check official websites, and steer clear of unknown links.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.