FIC: Holiday scams

FIC: Holiday scams

• 22 December 2025
• Money Laundering
• South African Accounting Academy

Summary:
The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has drawn attention to some of the scams popularly used by criminals parting holiday makers from their money.

Article:
These scams prey on people’s desire for a holiday and get-away travel by duping them into paying for flights, accommodation, and other activities which never materialise. These schemes often peak ahead of or during the festive season and school holidays.

The FIC has published a report in 2024 exploring the various categories of holiday scams and highlights some indicators of possible criminality that the public should be aware of. The report follows the analysis of reports it has received over time.

The aim of this publication is to raise awareness and inform the public on fraud schemes commonly committed during holiday seasons, so that they are less likely to fall victim to scammers. Refer to our previous Alert dated 11 December 2024

To entice and extract money from their targets, fraudsters are known to impersonate legitimate brands, travel agencies, airlines, and trusted accommodation booking websites and create fake social media pages. They offer fake holiday packages, accommodation, and transport tickets for air, bus, and rail travel. 

Members of the public are advised to apply extreme caution when approached directly, via social media or by any other means regarding holiday deals that may seem too good to be true. This is especially suspect where deposits or payments need to be made upfront to facilitate the transfer of funds.

Scammers often use pressure tactics and urgency to commit to taking up deals or offers. Those who have fallen victim to a holiday scam should, among the various steps to be taken, file a complaint with their local branch of the South African Police Service.

To entice and extract money from their targets, fraudsters are known to impersonate legitimate brands, travel agencies, airlines, and trusted accommodation booking websites and create fake social media pages. They offer fake holiday packages, accommodation, and transport tickets for air, bus, and rail travel.

These scams relate to holiday rentals, accommodation, vouchers, travel agencies, holiday clubs, fraudulent timeshares, and online ticket sales. The report explores various categories of holiday scams and highlights some indicators of possible criminality that the public should be aware of. The report also offers tips on how to avoid falling victim to scammers festive season.

Access the 10-page report titled: Crime does not take a holiday – Avoid being scammed this festive season, that was published in November 2024 at https://www.fic.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Typologies-Holiday-scams-publication-2024.pdf 

Click here to access information on the FIC’s reminder on holiday scams:

https://www.fic.gov.za/2025/12/02/holiday-scams/ 

Relevance to Auditors, Independent Reviewers & Accountants:

• Accountable Institutions should stay up-to-date with the latest developments that affect professional accountants, money laundering and terrorism financing – specifically publications issued by the FIC.
• As a consumer, you also need to be aware of the latest scams that are aimed at separating you from your money.
• As a consumer, you also need to be informed of the types of scams that fraudsters are utilising.

Relevance to Your clients:

• Accountable Institutions should stay up-to-date with the latest developments that affect professional accountants, money laundering and terrorism financing – specifically publications issued by the FIC.

• As consumers, your clients also need to be aware of the latest scams that are aimed at separating you from your money.

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