Russian tourism union warns parents about fake school-holiday bookings

The Russian Union of Travel Industry warned on October 19 of fraud risks when booking camps, excursions and residential courses ahead of the autumn school holidays. Criminals posing as organisers may seek advance payments, bank details and verification codes.

Union vice-president Georgy Mokhov identified manufactured urgency as a warning sign, including claims that only the last place remains, a reservation is about to expire or a discount lasts only a few hours. He advised parents to resist pressure and contact organisers through official channels.

Other tactics include supposedly free trips requiring payment for transport, insurance or documents, promised compensation, fake booking pages and chat groups. Some fraudsters impersonate school staff to collect information about families.

The union recommends checking camps against regional registers of children’s recreation providers and tour businesses against the Economic Development Ministry’s federal register. Parents should verify contact and payment details independently and confirm school-related offers with school administrators.

It advises paying an organisation’s business account rather than an individual’s card. Text-message codes, PINs, card security codes and account passwords should never be shared with strangers.