Online Scams in Edinburgh, UK
Fraudulent booking sites, phishing, fake reviews, and digital cons targeting travelers. Below are the online scams scams reported in Edinburgh — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Mykonos, Barcelona, and Krakow.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
1
Online Scams Scams
11
Total in Edinburgh
How it works
Edinburgh's reputation as one of Europe's most haunted cities has spawned dozens of copycat ghost tour websites that mimic legitimate operators like Mercat Tours or City of the Dead. Tourists book and pay online, then arrive at the stated meeting point — typically outside St Giles' Cathedral on the High Street or at Greyfriars Kirkyard — to find no tour guide and no valid booking. The fraudulent sites often rank well in search results and use stolen photos from real operators.
See all scams in Edinburgh
11 total warnings across all categories