British tourists are being warned about a new scam involving fake SIM cards and passport theft. The scam targets visitors at airports and tourist hotspots, where criminals pose as official representatives offering free SIM cards. Once the victim inserts the SIM, scammers can access personal data, including passport details stored on the phone.
Reports indicate that the scam has been particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia and parts of Europe. Victims have reported unauthorised transactions and identity theft after falling for the trick. Authorities advise travellers to only purchase SIM cards from official outlets and to never hand over their phones to strangers.
The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to include warnings about this scam. Travellers are urged to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to local police. The scam highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminals targeting tourists.
