WhatsApp free flights scam
Users of the online messaging service Whatsapp are being targeted by scammers pretending to offer them the chance to win two free flights on Emirates.
Prevention of Fraud in Travel (PROFIT) said users are invited to fill out a ‘fast survey’ in order to win the tickets on the Dubai-based carrier.
The link in the Whatsapp message appears to direct people to the Emirates’ website, but in fact it diverts them to a hoax site where they are asked a few questions in a phoney survey, which they are then told they must share with 10 other Whatsapp users to claim their prize.
Afterwards, the user is directed to another webpage where they must confirm their details, but in doing so they are unwittingly signed up to a premium message number, the cost of which will be charged to their phone bill.
At the end, they are directed to another page where it says: "Thank you for attending the survey. You did not win, try again better luck."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
AirlineRatings reveals world's safest airline rankings for 2026
Vietnam warns airlines of possible flight reductions amid jet fuel shortages
Fliggy opens AI-powered travel bookings and developer tools