Looking for a holiday bargain? Don't get caught out — experts warn of dark web travel agencies using stolen credit cards to buy hotels, flights, and more

• Buyers of cheap travel deals often face canceled bookings and lost money
• Fraudulent travel reservations can appear legitimate until banks freeze accounts unexpectedly
• Cardholders discover unauthorized charges after multiple bookings have already been completed

Holiday discounts can look tempting, especially when flights and hotels feel overpriced during peak seasons - but experts have warned some of the cheapest deals circulating online are tied to criminal networks operating so-called buy-for-you schemes.

These operations rely on stolen credit card data to secure real bookings, which are later resold at steep discounts to unsuspecting buyers.

Investigations by security firms, including Saily and NordVPN, examined underground forums and private messaging channels where these services are promoted.