Thinking about a trip to Marrakech or another dream destination? If you’ve been contacted by a travel agency offering surprisingly low prices,it’s natural to wonder: is this too good to be true? Sadly, travel scams are rising in 2025, and thousands of tourists fall victim each year. This complete guide helps you recognize red flags, verify agencies, and book your trip safely—with peace of mind.
Table of Contents
- Why Travel Scams Are on the Rise
- Red Flags of a Suspicious Travel Agency
- How to Verify If a Travel Agency Is Legitimate
- Where to Find Trustworthy Reviews
- Safe Payment Practices
- Special Focus: Marrakech & Moroccan Travel Scams
- Real Traveler Experiences & Forum Quotes
- What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
- Future-Proof: Smart Booking Habits
- Conclusion: Stay Smart, Travel Safe
1. Why Travel Scams Are on the Rise
With more travelers booking trips online—especially on mobile—scammers are thriving. In 2024 alone, travel fraud cost consumers over $37 billion worldwide, according to the International Fraud Prevention Council.
New AI tools now let scammers build professional-looking websites in minutes. They can mimic real agencies, create fake reviews, and even send what look like legitimate hotel vouchers or boarding passes. Often, these scams are discovered too late—when you arrive at the airport or hotel and find nothing booked.
2. Red Flags of a Suspicious Travel Agency
They Contact You First
Be cautious if someone reaches out to you by WhatsApp, phone, or email out of nowhere. Legitimate agencies don’t cold-call travelers offering exclusive “last-minute deals.”
Unrealistically Low Prices
If it sounds too good to be true—it probably is. A 5-star hotel in Marrakech for 25€/night during peak season? Red flag. Scammers use low prices to attract fast payment without allowing time for research.
No Professional Website
A real agency has an official domain (not Gmail), a secure SSL certificate (https://), a company address, license numbers, and clear policies. If you can’t find this, stop.
Pushy or Rushed Behavior
Scammers will say things like “Only 2 rooms left! Pay now to secure!” High-pressure tactics are meant to stop you from asking questions.
No Trace on TripAdvisor or Review Platforms
If an agency doesn’t appear on review platforms, forums, or Google Maps—be suspicious. A real business has a trail.
3. How to Verify If a Travel Agency Is Legitimate
Step 1: Google the Agency Name + "Scam"
Search for “[Agency Name] scam,” “[Agency Name] reviews,” or “[Agency Name] complaints.” If other travelers had issues, you’ll usually find mentions quickly.
Step 2: Check the Domain & Email
Go to whois.domaintools.com or who.is and check when their domain was registered. A site launched two weeks ago is suspicious. Also, official emails should be something like contact@agency.com—not a Gmail or Yahoo address.
Step 3: Ask for Official Registration
Every country has a tourism ministry or chamber of commerce. Ask for their business license or tourism registration number and search it. In Morocco, look at mtata.gov.ma or ontm.ma.
Step 4: Look on Google Maps & Facebook
Search their physical address. Is it a real office or just an empty plot? Check if they have activity and reviews on Facebook and Instagram—authentic photos, tags, replies from staff.
4. Where to Find Trustworthy Reviews
- TripAdvisor: Still the top travel review platform, though some reviews can be fake—look for patterns and volume.
- Trustpilot: Many agencies are rated here; beware of pages with only 1–2 reviews.
- Reddit: Try subs like r/travel or r/solotravel. Travelers often report scams here with receipts and screenshots.
- Google Business: Real agencies have a Google listing with location, contact info, and user ratings.
5. Safe Payment Practices
Use Credit Cards Only
Credit cards give you buyer protection. If the agency disappears, you can request a chargeback. Never pay by bank transfer, Western Union, Revolut, or crypto.
Always Get a Detailed Invoice
Before paying, ask for a digital invoice with company name, contact, full itinerary, cancellation policy, and payment details. No invoice = no booking.
Use Payment Platforms With Guarantees
Some travel platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb include secure payment options. If possible, use them instead of dealing directly.
6. Special Focus: Marrakech & Moroccan Travel Scams
Marrakech is a beautiful city—but due to its popularity, it also attracts scammers targeting foreigners. Some travelers have reported:
- Fake excursions booked through WhatsApp with no-shows
- Airport transfers that never come
- Hotels that don’t exist on arrival
To stay safe in Morocco:
- Book tours and hotels via known platforms like Viator, GetYourGuide, or Booking
- Ask your riad or hotel directly for recommended guides
- Check the agency’s name on Moroccan forums like Bladi.net or VoyageForum
7. Real Traveler Experiences & Forum Quotes
Here’s what travelers are saying:
“I paid for a 7-day package in Marrakech. The agency ghosted me after I sent the deposit. They kept promising confirmations that never came.” – user on Reddit
“They sent fake booking codes. I only realized at the airport when the airline said nothing was reserved.” – review on Trustpilot
These stories are sadly common. Scammers often give fake booking numbers or screenshots that look legitimate. Only direct confirmation from the airline or hotel counts.
8. What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
- Contact your bank immediately to dispute the transaction
- Report the fraud to your country’s consumer protection agency
- File a police report—even if you're abroad
- Warn others by posting on forums, Trustpilot, and Google
- Reach out to local tourism boards (like ONMT in Morocco)
If the scam happened through a platform (Booking, Airbnb, GetYourGuide), report it to them as well. They may offer partial refunds or at least flag the agency.
9. Future-Proof: Smart Booking Habits
✔️ Always Book Through Official Platforms
If you’re unsure, book through large platforms that offer payment protection, such as:
- Booking.com
- Expedia
- Viator
- GetYourGuide
✔️ Save All Conversations
Keep emails, WhatsApp messages, and invoices in one folder in case you need to prove fraud later.
✔️ Ask the Hotel Directly
If someone claims to be affiliated with a hotel or riad, email or call the hotel directly and confirm.
✔️ Share with Friends or Family
Before paying, tell someone close to you. A second opinion often helps spot something off.
10. Conclusion: Stay Smart, Travel Safe
We all love a great deal—but don’t let the excitement of travel blind your judgment. Travel agency scams are becoming more convincing and harder to detect. But by taking a few smart steps—verifying agencies, paying securely, and asking the right questions—you can avoid costly mistakes and travel stress-free.
If an agency contacts you, do your homework first. Don’t feel rushed. A real company will always give you time to decide.
Extra Tip: If you feel unsure or doubtful, you can send us an email at marrakechinmorocco with the agency’s name, website, and any other details you have. We are based in Marrakech and have many direct contacts with hotels, riads, and tour guides. We can help verify any agency’s legitimacy on your behalf. Travel smart… travel safe.