Good Morning Britain's intrepid reporter Noel Phillips has uncovered a disturbing scam targeting unsuspecting British tourists, exposing how fraudsters are stealing thousands through elaborate fake hotel operations.
In an exclusive undercover investigation for ITV's morning show, Phillips revealed how scammers create convincing but entirely fictitious hotel listings on popular booking platforms. "These criminals are exploiting people's trust in well-known travel sites," Phillips told viewers.
The Elaborate Scam Operation
The investigation found that fraudsters:
- Create professional-looking hotel listings with stolen or fabricated photos
- Use fake reviews to boost credibility
- Take full payment upfront through third-party sites
- Disappear when travellers arrive to find no actual hotel exists
Phillips described how one victim lost £1,200 after booking what appeared to be a legitimate hotel in Portugal. "When we arrived at the address, there was just an empty lot," the devastated holidaymaker revealed.
GMB's Undercover Sting
The GMB team set up their own fake hotel to demonstrate how easily the scam works. Within hours:
- Their fictitious "Paradise View" hotel appeared on booking platforms
- Scammers began contacting them to "manage" their listing
- Fraudsters offered to take bookings and split profits
Phillips warned: "This is an industrial-scale operation preying on British families looking forward to their well-earned holidays."
Protecting Yourself From Travel Scams
Consumer experts advise:
- Always book through reputable agencies
- Verify hotel addresses independently
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true
- Pay with credit cards for added protection
The full shocking investigation airs Thursday on Good Morning Britain from 6am on ITV.
