The Kerala Travel Mart Society has issued a strong warning to domestic and international tourists as the travel season in the state gains momentum. The organisation said that online fraudsters are impersonating genuine hotel staff and demanding advance payments from travellers, even after a legitimate booking has been made.
According to the Kerala Travel Mart Society, these scammers use convincing methods to deceive tourists. They contact travellers through calls or messages and claim to represent the hotel booked through a trusted third party. They then pressure guests to make further payments through QR codes or suspicious links. Some victims reported being threatened with cancellation if they refused, while others were lured with fake room upgrade offers. The fraudsters also use fake employee identity cards to appear credible, and several tourists have already lost significant amounts of money.
Travellers have been advised not to trust payment links sent through messaging apps. The Kerala Travel Mart Society recommended that tourist directly contact the hotel using the number provided on the official website to confirm any request for extra payment. People should avoid scanning QR codes sent by unknown individuals.
Any sudden offer or urgent demand for additional money should be treated with caution. The organisation has also requested its member hotels to strengthen digital security systems, track booking confirmations closely, and inform guests of the risk of impersonation.
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