Travel data on the Dark Web: How to protect yourself from cybercrime!

Travel data on the Dark Web: How to protect yourself from cybercrime!

A recent study by Travel before 9 and Datasecurity.de shows a worrying increase in cybercrime related to travel data. The study, conducted between June 10 and 20, 2025, examines the booming trade in travel documents on the Dark Web.

Verified EU passports, which can fetch over 5,000 dollars (approx. 4,300 euros) on the black market, are particularly in demand. Frequent flyer accounts, fake visa stickers, fake bank statements and booking details are also in high demand. This sensitive data ends up in the hands of criminals through a variety of methods, including malware, airline security vulnerabilities, and deceptive phishing sites.

Criminal methods and attempts at deception

The study reveals that digital copies of simple travel documents can be purchased for as little as 8.50 euros, and bookings via platforms such as Booking.com are sold for around 250 dollars. The criminals use, among other things, new forms of social engineering and modern technologies to obtain the data. AI-supported methods are used that can create fake check-in portals.

Another worrying aspect is the use of deepfake technology, which allows biometric procedures to be circumvented. This opens up new opportunities for cybercriminals to commit identity theft and fraudulent account openings. The stolen records often contain not only names and passport numbers, but also email addresses and phone numbers.

Safety measures for travelers

To counteract data theft, the study authors from NordVPN and Saily recommend a number of security measures for travelers. This includes storing sensitive travel documents in encrypted digital vaults and checking the URL before entering personal information. Up-to-date antivirus software and VPN connections are also strongly recommended, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.

Additionally, travelers should regularly check their bonus and financial accounts for unusual activity and immediately report lost or stolen documents. The current situation illustrates how important it is to protect yourself from the dangers on the Internet in order to protect your own data and avoid identity theft.