Fraudsters conned British holidaymakers out of €3 billion last year through a series of internet-based scams and deceptions, a report shows.

Criminal groups have targeted online booking firms to swindle cash from unsuspecting customers, many of whom only discover they have been duped when they arrive at their accommodation and find no booking exists.

Travel association ABTA, police and the British government urged caution for potential fraud victims when booking a holiday over the internet following the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau report.

In one case, a member of the public lost €86,170 in a fraud relating to a bogus timeshare scheme.

Losses are not just financial, with a third of victims saying the fraud had a substantial impact on their health as well – while 167 reported the impact was so severe they needed medical treatment.

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “Holiday fraud is a particularly distressing form of fraud as the loss to the victim is not just financial but it can also have a high emotional impact.

“Many victims are unable to get away on a long-awaited holiday or visit to loved ones and the financial loss is accompanied by a personal loss. Every year we are contacted by victims of fraudsters, the majority fell for online scams.

There are spikes of reported fraud in the summer months and in December, which paint a very clear picture of disappointed holi-daymakers and ruined trips to visit loved ones for Christmas.

The age group most commonly targeted is those aged 30-49.

Most those who had been defrauded paid by methods such as bank transfer or cash with no means of getting their money back.

Only a small proportion paid by credit or debit card where some form of redress is available.

The report reveals during a 12-month period 1,569 cases of holiday booking fraud were reported.

The most common types relate to fake plane tickets, hacking accounts, posting bogus adverts and setting up dodgy websites.

Sports and religious trips are often a target due to limited availability and consequent higher prices, according to the study.

In 2014 the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and World Cup in Brazil were targeted, with some people paying for non-existent accommodation or tickets.

In one case, a family travelled for five hours to enjoy a week-long break in Cornwall ­– at a cost of €2,084 – only to find the website had been hacked and the bank details altered, meaning they were unable to use the accommodation or retrieve the money.

Detective chief superintendent Dave Clark, of City of London Police, said: “Online shoppers must be vigilant and conduct all the necessary checks before booking a break.”

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