MARCH 12, 2026 — Summer’s supposed to be about sun, sand, and stress-free getaways — but for some Pinoys, it can turn into a nightmare. The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) is sounding the alarm: vacation scams are back in full swing just as Holy Week and summer travel plans heat up. 

From January to February alone, 29 cases of bogus accommodation deals were already recorded. And if you think that’s just a small number, remember — it only takes one click to ruin an entire family’s holiday.

The scheme is deceptively simple. Scammers grab legit photos and videos of resorts, post them online with “promo” prices, and sprinkle fake reviews to make the deal look irresistible. 

“Ang karaniwang ginagawa nila ay kumukuha sila ng mga photos and videos sa mga legit na resorts and accommodation, and pino-post nila ito sa murang halaga. Kaya marami ang nahihikayat o nae-engganyo sa ganitong klaseng modus,” said PNP-ACG spokesperson PLt. Wallen Mae Arancillo.

(What they usually do is take photos and videos from legitimate resorts and accommodations, then post them at cheap prices. That’s why many people get enticed by this kind of scheme.)

Victims often pay down payments — or worse, the full amount — only to be blocked once the money is sent. Others arrive at the supposed resort and discover the place looks nothing like the glossy photos. 

Imagine saving up for months, only to end up stranded with bags in hand and no room to stay. Now that’s not just a scam — that’s heartbreak.

Authorities warn: don’t rush. Check if the resort has permits with the local government unit, verify if the account has credible followers, and remember the golden rule — if it looks “too good to be true,” it probably is. 

Arancillo added, “Kung makakakita tayo ng mga napakamura or ‘too good to be true’ offers and kung hinihingan na tayo ng pera, magduda na tayo.”

(If we see very cheap or ‘too good to be true’ offers and they’re already asking for money, we should be suspicious.)

And this isn’t just a nuisance. It’s a crime. Under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, these scams fall under swindling or estafa, with penalties one degree higher than traditional fraud. This means jail time and fines that sting harder.

But why do these scams keep thriving? Is it our love for bargains, our trust in online deals, or the platforms’ failure to weed out fake accounts? The PNP can only warn us so much. At the end of the day, vigilance is our best defense.

So before you click “Book Now” on that dream getaway, pause and think: Will you let a fake promo steal your summer, or will you outsmart the scam before it outsmarts you?

(Image: PIA - Philippine Information Agency)