{"id":35437,"date":"2017-10-25T10:18:54","date_gmt":"2017-10-25T09:18:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/?p=35437"},"modified":"2025-05-15T13:38:57","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T12:38:57","slug":"scam-alert-why-zimbabweans-are-being-targeted-the-most-for-flight-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/infographics\/scam-alert-why-zimbabweans-are-being-targeted-the-most-for-flight-scams.htm","title":{"rendered":"Scam Alert! Why Zimbabweans are being targeted the most for flight scams?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a02b434b1ce5\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a02b434b1ce5\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/infographics\/scam-alert-why-zimbabweans-are-being-targeted-the-most-for-flight-scams.htm\/#watch_out_for_flight_scammers_online\" >Watch Out For Flight Scammers Online<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/infographics\/scam-alert-why-zimbabweans-are-being-targeted-the-most-for-flight-scams.htm\/#how_do_travel_scammers_work\" >How do travel scammers work?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/infographics\/scam-alert-why-zimbabweans-are-being-targeted-the-most-for-flight-scams.htm\/#how_can_you_evade_the_scammers\" >How can you evade the scammers?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"watch_out_for_flight_scammers_online\"><\/span>Watch Out For Flight Scammers Online<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Setting out on a trip with your loved ones for Zimbabwe and spending your hard-earned money\u00a0to buy a holiday package is\u00a0really exciting. But it is susceptible to the devious scammers who can ruin your travel plans with their subtle tricks. According to recent stats, nearly 15 million people have become victimized by the travel scammers whereas 8-10 cases have been specifically reported for booking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/cheap-flights-to\/zimbabwe\/\">flights to Zimbabwe<\/a>. \u00a0Fraudulent travel agencies suddenly appear with the most discounted holiday packages. Their strategies are so understated that not only na\u00efve even the regular travellers fall a prey to the scams. No matter how smart you are, everyone\u00a0is fascinated by the\u00a0economical rates and catchy packages that are\u00a0cheaper\u00a0than the regular ones. Including me! \u00a0 No matter how cautious you are, the gambit\u00a0is way ahead in taking money out of your pockets.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35441\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35441\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35441\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/500px-500px-C.png\" alt=\"Flight Scams, Zimbabwe\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/500px-500px-C.png 500w, https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/500px-500px-C-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/500px-500px-C-300x300.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35441\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Why are Zimbabweans being targeted the most for fake flight deals?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>With the mushroom growth of such crooks in the travel industry in 2017, it\u2019s time to confiscate your fallacy that you are smart enough to get ripped off. Sometimes, it happens, when its least expected. While travel scammers are everywhere in the world, do you ever think, why Zimbabweans\u00a0are being targeted\u00a0the most? Here I tell you why and how does it work? And what can you do to avoid such scams and make sure not to become off-guard in any\u00a0way\u00a0possible?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Here are few scenarios of most common scams that travellers\u00a0encounter. Spread the word so you and your dear ones never have your defences down while we make sure to\u00a0have\u00a0your back to encourage and promote secure travel to Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Before narrating the personal experiences of such scam, I would want you to get acquainted with a few advertising facts in the UK that\u00a0run\u00a0to\u00a0make sure\u00a0the protection of travellers.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In order to set up a travel agency in the UK, you\u00a0are required\u00a0to be\u00a0licensed by the\u00a0ATOL\u00a0(Air Travelers Organizer\u2019s license). It is the financial protection scheme that\u00a0is supervised\u00a0by CAA (Civil Aviation Authority). If an\u00a0ATOL-protected\u00a0agency goes bankrupted, travellers have ensured\u00a0a safe return through this scheme. For more information\u00a0regarding\u00a0the policy, visit<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caa.co.uk\/atol-protection\/\"><strong>www.atol.org.uk<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>And, tour operators who offer comprehensive holiday packages\u00a0require\u00a0joining the associations of\u00a0ABTA\u00a0(Association of British Travel Agents). Being a member of\u00a0ABTA, a code of conduct\u00a0is implemented\u00a0and relevant disputes\u00a0are resolved\u00a0in the light of stated rules and regulations.\u00a0 For further information, visit\u00a0<strong>www.abta.com<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Having said that, no tour operator\u00a0is allowed\u00a0to advertise or promote in any way their offers of flights or holiday packages without being protected by\u00a0ATOL\u00a0and\u00a0ABTA.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_do_travel_scammers_work\"><\/span>How do travel scammers work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The growing concern for all the no-frills travel agencies in the travel industry is to scrutinize how the Scammers work and how to combat such scams.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35442\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35442\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35442\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/travel-scammers-B.png\" alt=\"How do travel scammers work?\" width=\"640\" height=\"2459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/travel-scammers-B.png 640w, https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/travel-scammers-B-78x300.png 78w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35442\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">How do flight scammers work?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Scammers set up cloned websites to defraud clients. These forged websites do not have a locked padlock symbol in the browser when you attempt to make an online payment. Keeping in mind, a legitimate website\u2019s address begins with https:\/\/. Forgery\u00a0is done\u00a0through various\u00a0ways\u00a0and the most common is\u00a0copying of the genuine website or\u00a0by producing a website that is almost similar to another well-famed travel business operator. If there\u2019s an\u00a0element of suspicion,\u00a0carry out a vigilant\u00a0search to detect the deception.<\/li>\n<li>If the unscrupulous agents succeed in winning your confidence by misleading you through the fake\/cloned website and you have made an online booking. Then, the next step is payment options. It\u00a0is recommended\u00a0to be\u00a0apprehensive when the only payment option is cash or bank transfer into an account of an individual. This is the dead right\u00a0sign\u00a0that they are not facilitated by the credit card payment options by the reputed banks.<\/li>\n<li>Consumers are always prone to these fraudsters in million other ways who bait the clients with attractive deals using different tips and tricks. When the smart clients insist\u00a0on making payments into a company account instead of an account of an individual. Scammers make contact with the highly reputed, legitimate, fully protected and bonded company and after making a booking in the name of someone else, ask the clients to transfer money to their company\u2019s account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">What happens next? Do you think you have made the best move to protect yourself and safely booked a\u00a0flight\/holiday package? Well, be frightened because this is where the actual game starts when scammers have successfully lured and double-crossed two parties into their trick. And you know how? Here\u2019s another side of the story from the end of the legit travel agency.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The reputed travel agency successfully books a flight ticket for the person who claims to be booking a ticket for relative or a friend ensuring all the travel documents are being provided. At the time of payment, bank transfer into the company account has been made by the concerned client the and irony is, a ticket is being issued in the name of some other person. How would you know you have been caught into the trouble? Before you depart, the forged website has been disappeared, numbers have been closed permanently and you\u2019d find yourself chasing the reputed travel agency that had issued a ticket for someone else against your payment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_can_you_evade_the_scammers\"><\/span>How can you evade the scammers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Knowing that such scammers are hard at work, it is recommended to be extra cautious while dealing the retailers and not to be trapped by the fly-by-night crooks.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you are not really into understanding the technicalities of the websites, contact a few different agents and leave a query for your travel plans. Instead of being lured to extraordinary cheap flights tickets, be doubtful about the rates below the standard. And be inclined towards the well-reputed travel sellers and stick to the trusted service providers instead of being misled by the fake businesses.<\/li>\n<li>Check website reviews and traffic for the particular service provider and check the track record to make sure you are on secure end. Don\u2019t be turned up by the marvelous cheap deals on different social media platforms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Well, it\u2019s not that difficult to protect yourself from being victimized. Just beware of above-mentioned precautions and be watchful about the travel scams. Hope you travel safe!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Watch Out For Flight Scammers Online Setting out on a trip with your loved ones for Zimbabwe and spending your hard-earned money\u00a0to buy a holiday package is\u00a0really exciting. But it is<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":35441,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4893],"tags":[5282,5654,5653,5652,2599,2625,44],"hashtags":[],"class_list":["post-35437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-infographics","tag-africa-travel","tag-cheap-flights","tag-flight-deals","tag-flight-scams","tag-travel","tag-travel-tips","tag-zimbabwe"],"aioseo_notices":[],"fimg_url":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/500px-500px-C.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35437"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35437\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48357,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35437\/revisions\/48357"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35437"},{"taxonomy":"hashtags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelhouseuk.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtags?post=35437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}