Cancún Family Scammed Out of 86K Pesos in Fake Expedia Deal

Cancún, Quintana Roo — A Cancún family lost 86,579 pesos after falling victim to an online scam involving a cloned Expedia website. The incident highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud in Quintana Roo’s tourism sector, where over 17,000 fraudulent vacation package schemes are reported monthly.

A Dream Trip Turns Into a Nightmare

The Eman family’s plans to reunite with relatives in Lebanon were derailed when they unknowingly booked flights through a fraudulent website posing as Expedia. The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the ordeal:

"I searched Google for Expedia’s platform and verified the security parameters before proceeding. I made the reservations, though baggage options didn’t appear," he said. After multiple attempts, convinced he was dealing with a legitimate agency, he transferred 86,579 pesos online.

Before the payment, he contacted his bank, Santander, to confirm the process and inquire about cancellation options in case of irregularities. "The bank assured me that fraud protection would apply. But despite blocking my card on May 15, the transfer went through on May 16," he added.

Contradictory Bank Responses and Escalating Demands

The family received emails from the fake agency confirming a reservation under folio number 789120 for flights from Cancún to Beirut. Later, they were notified of a price increase to 91,876 pesos due to "updated fares," with a promise that the original amount would be refunded automatically.

When the victim called a number listed on the site, a man identifying himself as Luis García—allegedly Expedia’s general manager—demanded an additional payment, raising the total to 94,380 pesos. García claimed the tickets would not be issued without the extra funds and refused cancellation or refund requests.

Santander later sent conflicting emails: one confirming the purchase and offering support, the other disclaiming responsibility. "A bank representative told me I had to pay the 86,579 pesos or face credit bureau reporting," the victim said. He plans to file complaints with the State Attorney General’s Office, Condusef, and the Cyber Police.

Rising Cyber Fraud in Quintana Roo’s Tourism Sector

The Mexican Association of Travel Agencies (AMAV) reports that 70% of the 25,000 monthly travel-related fraud cases in Mexico occur in the Caribbean region. A study by the Mexican Online Sales Association (AMVO) found that 53% of Mexican travelers book trips digitally, making them vulnerable to scams.

"Travelers must stay vigilant to avoid falling prey to vacation fraud," the AMVO report warned.

The Eman family’s case underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight of online transactions and better fraud prevention measures in Quintana Roo’s tourism industry.