Have you ever wondered what it would be like to book a holiday on the dark web? Well, we did some Googling, and this is what we found…
The dark web is an elusive place for most of us, but it’s a thriving business sadly. Now, you can even book cheap holidays through it, and it’s actually pretty easy to do. Who knew?
Now, I’m no expert, but I’m not sure that I would trust anything on the dark web, and there are many scams you should be wary of when booking a holiday online. But here’s what you can expect if you go searching for your next holiday on the dark web…
1. The Dark Web is Fuelled by Cryptocurrencies
The majority of the travel agents on the dark web take their payments through pseudo-anonymous cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin. Anonymity is a bonus when it comes to Bitcoin payments, as most travellers already have Bitcoin from their own cybercrime escapades. Steer clear!
2. Gift Cards
Discounted gift cards are a hot commodity on the dark web scene. Dark web travel agents are selling airline-specific gift cards and certificates at massive discounts, typically around 30 to 50 percent off retail value.
The question is, how are these gift cards ending up on the dark web? Well, a few ways include:
- Purchased with stolen airline points and selling them on.
- Purchased with stolen credit cards.
- Just like credit cards, gift cards have an account number and security codes, so this information can be stolen and sold on.
In addition to this, actual airline accounts are being stolen and airmiles are being redeemed by fraudsters.
Your data is not completely secure online but there are ways you can protect your information so the risk of your airline accounts being stolen is minimised.
3. Glitz and Glam
Yes, even the dark web travel agents are branding themselves. Their advertisements are in your face, over the top, and attempt to resemble the lifestyle holiday bookers are looking for, including luxury yachts, sports cars, and fine dining. These travel agents even have their own logos, fonts, and memes. It has been seen that travel agents are on a decline for years but dark web travel agents are earning good.
4. The Booking.com Equivalent
Yep, companies like Booking.com exist on the dark web. Companies like Patriarh and Serggik00 are the equivalent of a third-party booking site where you can search for locations, accommodation types and dates. However, most are last minute because this is how fraudsters reduce the chance of getting caught on their scam.
These sites claim to have deals that are 45 to 50 percent cheaper than booking.com and other third-party sites.
5. Great Customer Service
Crazily enough, even on the dark web reputation matters. Much like legitimate review platforms like TrustPilot, the better reviews you get the more likely you are to get new customers. These third-party sellers even have a dedicated 24/7 support system.
Some “travel agents” had only 5-star reviews and included comments such as: “Customer service was superb. Delivered promptly and flights went smooth. Nothing else to ask for in a vendor. Will be using them from here out.” Imagine criticising a travel agent on the dark web!
6. Access to Flights, Hotels and Tours and Activities
Within minutes of scrolling the dark web, you are inundated with cheap flights, hotels, car rentals and tours and activities! But be warned, they are always too good to be true. And ultimately, to get these deals, data has been stolen from other travellers.
Ready to Book Your Next Holiday?
The industry has definitely picked up in the last few years, but it’s not all success stories. 193 were recently arrested for participating in an airline fraud scam. Similarly, a fraudster who used stolen air miles to travel to Las Vegas was also arrested.
We won’t be booking our next trip on the dark web, and it’s recommended that travellers avoid it at all costs. To save yourself hassle and stress, make sure you book your next trip through a legitimate site.
Booking a holiday isn’t a completely secure business. But there are steps you can take to minimise your risk of being a victim of fraud. Make sure you are regularly changing your passwords, never do direct bank transfers to holiday providers, and avoid clicking on spam links or adverts on holiday sites.
Other things to be wary of when booking a holiday online is unsecured websites and wireless hotspots that are designed to collect personal information.
Let us know what your favourite holiday booking sites is in the comments below.
Photos by Executium on Unsplash, Tumisu from Pixabay, mali maeder from Pexels and Sven Scheuermeier on Unsplash.