CTC Travel warns of ‘all-inclusive’ tour package scam deals targeting seniors

Singapore's CTC Travel has warned tourists, especially seniors, to be wary of fraudulent "all-inclusive" holiday packages being offered by scammers. In a Facebook post on November 3, the travel agency reported receiving complaints about individuals impersonating CTC Travel and promoting discounted all-inclusive travel packages for seniors.

CTC Travel stressed that only their official channels should be trusted for genuine promotions and offers. The agency advised anyone who receives suspicious messages or is uncertain about an offer to contact them directly for verification before taking any action.

Scams have been a persistent issue in Singapore, resulting in losses exceeding $4 billion since 2019. While the total fell in 2025 for the first time in eight years, the figure remains significant, with 37,308 cases reported and $913.1 million lost. The police have recovered about $140.5 million in scams.

Recently, holidaymakers have become a primary target for scammers. Since January, at least 148 travel-related phishing scams have been reported. These scams involve impersonating hotels, customer service representatives via WhatsApp or email, and tricking travelers into disclosing credit card information or confirming fake hotel reservations. Scammers have also listed fraudulent cruise packages, such as for the Genting Dream cruise, on social media platforms like Facebook.

To protect themselves from such scams, the police advise the public to take several precautions. These include setting up security features like two-factor authentication and money lock features for banks and e-wallets, verifying suspicious deals with official sources, and informing authorities, family, and friends about any scams they encounter. For further information on scams, the public can call the 24-hour ScamShield Helpline at 1799 or visit www.scamshield.gov.sg.