Fraudulent groups often impersonate official conference-designated hotels or booking agents, using fake email domains and fake websites to mislead participants into making payments through unofficial channels. These scams are highly professional and convincing, prompting multiple international conferences and related organizations to issue formal warnings.
I. Known Scam Companies
Reports indicate that some scam companies proactively contact conference participants, claiming to assist with accommodation or travel booking services. Below are confirmed scam companies (including their email addresses or domains), though other cases may exist:
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- Global Travel Team (planning[at]gtravelhosting[dot]com)
- Global Travel Experts (reservations[at]gtravelexpert[dot]com, bookings[at]g-travelexperts[dot]com)
- Converia Travel (info[at]converiatravel[dot]com)Please remain vigilant. These scams are often sent via email, particularly targeting speakers or presenters.
II. Common Scam Tactics
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- Imitating Official Hotel Domains
Scammers register domains that closely resemble legitimate hotel or booking sites, e.g., forging “booking[dot]com” as “booklng[dot]com,” exploiting minor spelling differences. - Phishing Emails in the Name of the Conference
They impersonate “official conference booking services” and use fake domains to pressure participants into paying accommodation fees. - Mixing Real and Fake Content to Gain Trust
Fake websites may redirect you to the real official site, creating the illusion of legitimacy. - Redirecting to Fake Payment Pages
Emails include payment links leading to poorly regulated third-party platforms, where funds go directly to scammers.
- Imitating Official Hotel Domains
III. Key Self-Protection Measures
- Verify Directly with the Conference Organizer
- Do not reply or click links in any email claiming to be an “official booking service”.
- Always confirm through official contact details published on the conference website.
- Check the conference website for announcements about known fraudulent booking agents.
- Verify the Payee Before Payment
- Before entering card details, check the merchant name carefully.
- If you are paying for Hotel A but the payee shows an unrelated company or individual, it is likely a scam. Stop immediately.
IV. If a suspicious situation has occurred
- Contact your bank immediately: If payment has already been made, call the card-issuing bank to request a stop payment.
- Report to the police as soon as possible: If you have suffered financial loss or information leakage, file a report and provide evidence (such as emails, payment records, and communication details).