Vacation is when you're most relaxed — and also most vulnerable to scams. Here are the 10 most common tricks and how to avoid them.
1. Zero-Cost Tours / Suspiciously Cheap Tours
Tour prices 50% below market rate, then forced shopping, led to "partner" stores, or constant surcharges.
2. Fake Hotel Bookings via Social Media
Fake pages mimicking 5-star resorts, attractive prices, requiring bank transfer deposits → disappearance.
3. Fake Airline Tickets
Buying cheap tickets from Facebook "agents". Receiving a booking code that doesn't exist at the airport.
4-5. Overcharging Taxis & Scam Motorbike Drivers
Taxis without meters or fast-running meters. Motorbike drivers promising cheap rides but taking you to commission shops.
6-7. Motorbike Rental & Passport Holding
Claiming the vehicle was damaged to demand compensation, or holding your passport as "deposit" then demanding extra money.
8-9. Overpriced Restaurants & Counterfeit Goods
Restaurants without listed prices charging 5-10x normal rates. Selling fake specialties (pearls, agarwood, civet coffee).
10. Free Public WiFi
Criminals create free WiFi networks at airports and cafes to steal banking login credentials.
VTrust Advice
Always book through reputable platforms (Booking.com, Traveloka, Agoda). Check reviews from multiple sources. Don't transfer deposits to personal accounts. Use a VPN on public WiFi.