Passengers Warned After N652 Million Airline Ticket Scam

Travellers have been warned to be cautious when purchasing airline tickets after reports emerged of a N652 million ticket-scam operation that has defrauded unsuspecting customers, aviation operators and consumer protection groups said.

Industry experts and travel agents advised air passengers to book flights only through accredited travel agencies or directly via official airline platforms, noting that scammers often use fake websites, social-media ads and unsolicited messages to trick people into paying for bogus tickets.

According to the warnings, many fraudulent operations mimic legitimate airline booking sites or travel agencies. These fake platforms may appear professional but are designed to harvest payment information or take money without delivering valid tickets a common tactic seen in ticketing scams worldwide.

Aviation authorities emphasised that official ticket sellers such as those accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) with recognised agency codes are more likely to provide secure, genuine bookings. Travellers are encouraged to verify agent credentials and only complete transactions through airline websites, mobile apps, or trusted, accredited partners.

By Oshuniran Sheriff Ola