Comment: We must stay vigilant to help fight rise in fraud

It only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch, as the saying goes, so it is always concerning when our industry hits the headlines for the wrong reasons.

This was repeatedly evident during the pandemic, when companies and individuals working around the clock were often unfairly criticised and targeted due to circumstances beyond their control.

And last week, bona fide travel agents will have been angered as their profession was tarnished by bogus travel seller Lyne Barlow, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for frauds totalling £1.2 million.

Fortunately, Barlow was apprehended and faced justice, and while this will be scant consolation for the customers she duped, it is to be hoped their experiences will prompt others to look beyond bargain prices and claims of financial protection and ensure they book only with reputable and protected travel businesses.

The story ensured fraud remained firmly in the spotlight following regular Travel Weekly reports this year about an increase in activity across the industry. And it has unsurprisingly reignited calls for greater collaboration to limit exposure and protect companies and individuals alike.

Whether it is the consumer-facing crimes of Barlow and her ilk or the targeting of travel firms by sophisticated scammers linked to organised crime, the resulting losses can be a hammer blow for victims. In a peak booking period when sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive, it is incumbent on us all to stay vigilant and ensure these criminals do not derail the industry’s recovery.