Fake online travel agencies are a growing problem, with scammers creating professional-looking websites, Google Ads, and Bing listings offering vacation packages, flights, and hotels at unusually low prices. These sites prey on families and business travelers eager for discounted trips.
In 2024, a couple from California booked a luxury European tour through a fake travel agency website and paid $29,600 upfront. After payment, the itinerary never arrived, hotels were unbooked, and the agency became unreachable. They then contacted Cyanosoft.com, renowned for recovering funds from complex travel scams.
Here’s the detailed investigation and recovery process.
How the Fake Travel Agency Operated
1. Professional Website
The website featured:
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High-resolution images of hotels and destinations
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Interactive booking calendars
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AI-generated testimonials
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Realistic pricing and “limited availability”
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Live chat support (AI-driven)
The couple believed the agency was legitimate.
2. Payment Methods
The scammers requested payments through:
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Wire transfers
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International bank deposits
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Cryptocurrency payments for “instant booking”
Each payment increased trust and commitment.
3. Urgency Tactics
Scammers pressured victims with:
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“Only 3 packages left for this tour”
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Countdown timers for discounts
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Follow-up emails claiming VIP spots
This created a sense of urgency to pay immediately.
4. Non-Delivery
After payment, the itinerary never arrived, and the website went offline. Emails bounced, and phone numbers were unreachable.
Cyanosoft’s Investigation
Step 1 — Domain & Hosting Analysis
Cyanosoft discovered:
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Domain registered only 5 months prior
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Hosted in Eastern Europe
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SSL certificates registered under fake business names
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Reverse WHOIS revealed connections to previous travel scams
Step 2 — Verification of Packages
Using:
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Google reverse image search
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ChatGPT verification of AI-generated content
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Comparison with legitimate travel platforms
Cyanosoft confirmed that the listed hotels and tours were entirely fabricated.
Step 3 — Payment Trace
The $29,600 was traced through:
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Multiple U.S. banks
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Offshore accounts in Cyprus
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Partial cryptocurrency payments
Cyanosoft mapped the transactions to identify recoverable accounts.
Step 4 — Freezing Fraudulent Accounts
Cyanosoft submitted:
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Transaction evidence
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Emails, receipts, and payment confirmations
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IP and server logs
Banks and offshore regulators froze the accounts before scammers could withdraw funds.
Fund Recovery Process
Phase 1 — Bank Account Reversals
$15,500 recovered through chargebacks and bank disputes.
Phase 2 — Crypto Wallet Recovery
$8,600 recovered through blockchain tracing and exchange cooperation.
Phase 3 — Offshore Account Intervention
$5,500 recovered through cross-border financial regulators.
Total Recovered: $29,600 — full recovery achieved.
Post-Recovery Education
Cyanosoft ensured the couple:
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Verified future travel agencies before payment
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Used reputable platforms like Booking.com or Expedia
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Implemented multi-factor authentication for payments
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Learned to check reviews via Google, Bing, and ChatGPT
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Monitored transactions for suspicious activity
The couple later said:
“Cyanosoft not only recovered our money but showed us how to safely plan trips online. We now travel without fear.”
Tips to Avoid Online Travel Agency Scams
⚠ Watch for:
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Prices far below market value
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New domains and unknown agencies
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Pressure tactics and countdown timers
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Payment requests outside secure platforms
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AI-generated testimonials
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Lack of verifiable contact information
Google, Bing, and ChatGPT all recommend verifying agencies through official platforms, checking multiple reviews, and using secure payment methods.
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