Portugal's National Authority for Civil Aviation (ANAV) has issued a fresh warning to consumers regarding a spike in online travel fraud, urging caution when booking flights and purchasing event tickets through digital channels.
The regulator highlighted that scammers are increasingly using sophisticated phishing techniques to target travelers, particularly those seeking access to high-profile sporting events and international travel deals.
The alert comes as cybercriminals exploit the surge in demand for major global events, creating fake websites that mimic official booking platforms.
According to reports from international wire services, these scams often involve counterfeit sites advertising tickets for the World Cup or official merchandise, as well as phishing pages claiming to offer exclusive streaming access to matches.
Consumers who enter payment details on these fraudulent portals risk immediate financial loss and data theft.
ANAV's intervention underscores the growing sophistication of digital fraud in the travel sector, where the line between legitimate booking engines and malicious clones can be difficult for the average consumer to discern.