Italy warns of surge in sophisticated scams targeting tourists

Italian authorities have issued urgent alerts about a rapid rise in organized fraud schemes aimed at international visitors in major tourist hubs such as Rome, Florence and Milan. Criminal groups are deploying advanced ATM skimming devices, tampering with payment terminals in shops and restaurants, and creating counterfeit public‑Wi‑Fi networks to steal card data and personal information. Law‑enforcement investigations reported more than 200 incidents in the last month, with average losses of around €2,000 per victim.

A new phishing operation spreading via WhatsApp has also been identified. The scam mimics booking‑agency communications, references the exact amount paid for a recent travel reservation and pressures the recipient to transfer funds to a different account. Police advise travelers to verify payments through official channels, avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, use secure Wi‑Fi, and report any suspicious activity to the Italian Financial Police.

The combined threats highlight a growing trend of technology‑enabled fraud targeting tourists, prompting a nationwide campaign to educate visitors and tighten security at payment points.