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There is another type to Digital scam Be aware of it, according to BBC. It’s called “custodial kidnapping.”
The name gives you an idea of how it works. Essentially, scammers use details about a reservation you made (perhaps with a hotel or airline) to trick you into sending money somewhere you shouldn’t.
Although this type of scam isn’t exactly new, the recent data breach at Booking.com has increased the risk of people being found out. Using data about you and your booking, a much more convincing setup can be put together – why wouldn’t you believe that someone claiming to be an employee at a spa you’ve booked with is telling the truth about who they are, especially if they know your trip dates, phone number and email address?
According to Booking.com, no financial information was exposed in the April 2026 hack. However, names, email addresses, phone numbers and booking details were leaked. The travel portal says emails have been sent to affected customers about the increased risk of scams, so this is the first thing to check when it comes to staying safe.
Reducing your risk of being scammed by booking theft involves many of the same security precautions you probably already follow, and just being aware that this is how you may be targeted will make a difference.
How do seizure kidnappings work?
We’ve already explained the basics of hijacking, but it can take several forms. As with other types of scams, they tend to develop over time. The basic premise is that someone will contact you claiming to be from a place you’ve booked, whether it’s a car rental company or a hotel.
Scammers will try to collect as much information as possible about you and your reservation. Sometimes they target staff of the place you’ve booked at in order to gain access to their systems, and other times they may take advantage of a broader data breach (as with the recent Booking.com hack).
They may also obtain information through other means. They may have somehow gained access to your email, or some of your social media posts (where you’ve shared your next vacation destination and counted down the number of days left). Don’t be alarmed if you find yourself talking to someone who knows a lot about your travel plans.