Mastercard report shows extent of fraud in popular tourist locations

June 3, 2025

International tourism is an industry highly susceptible to fraud, with scams rising 18% during the (Northern Hemisphere) summer peak season and 28% in the winter peak season in 2024, according to the newly released Travel Trends 2025 report from the Mastercard Economics Institute.

According to the report, common scams include inflated charges in restaurants and taxis, fake tour companies and fraudulent property listings with cities such as Hanoi, Vietnam; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bangkok, Thailand and Cancun, Mexico reporting the highest levels of fraud.

Explaining that scam risks vary significantly from city to city, Mastercard Economics Institute Chief Economist - Asia-Pacific, David Mann stated "in certain destinations, you can end up seeing a lot more of the fraud coming from the travel and the tour company side.”

In relation to fraudulent property listings, Mann noted "once paid, the tour may either never occur or be drastically different from what was promised."

To combat these trends, Mastercard employs advanced fraud prevention technologies, including digital wallets and AI-driven systems, to protect travellers. This ensures that travellers can focus on their journeys without worrying about security threats.

Mann went on to say “this report is designed to offer a clearer view of how consumer behaviours are evolving - and what that means for tourism growth.

“By turning data into actionable insights, the Mastercard Economics Institute aims to support the travel ecosystem in making smarter decisions that drive stronger tourism strategies, better traveller experiences, and more resilient economic outcomes.”

Click here to view the Travel Trends 2025: Purpose-driven journeys report along with other insights from MEI.

Image: The Thai capital of Bangkok is among cities reporting the highest levels of fraud according to MEI's Travel Trends 2025 report.

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