Jet2 Marmaris Scam – How We Lost £320 at Our Hotel

They say you learn from your mistakes. Our Jet2 Marmaris scam cost us £320 and involved a fake rep, two unsuspecting parents, and a Marmaris hotel that looked the other way. If you’re heading to Turkey, especially with kids, this is a holiday story worth reading.

Arrival – Tired, Trusting, and Taken In

After a long flight and transfer, we finally arrived at our hotel – the Grand Yazıcı Club Turban Thermal Hotel in Marmaris. We’d splashed out on a private transfer, lured by photos of limos with TVs and drinks. What we got was a big silent van with no extras and the grumpiest driver in Turkey. We arrived at the hotel in complete silence.

The Phone Call That Started It All

The next morning, the phone rang in our apartment. A man claiming to be our Jet2 tour rep invited us to a welcome meeting in reception. We’d done these before – a few pasty Brits nervously sipping Fanta while a hungover rep cracks jokes. But when we arrived, there was no meeting, and reception had no idea what we were talking about.

Enter the Smooth-Talking Scammer

Then he appeared – all smiles and fist bumps, especially with the boys. He introduced himself as our rep and showed us glossy photos of trips. We booked two: a Dalyan River boat tour and a Jeep Safari. He quoted £80 for both, saying it was a local-only price because he liked us. It sounded like a bargain. We hadn’t even left the hotel or checked exchange rates yet, so when he pulled out a card machine (all in Turkish), I tapped to pay without a second thought. We trusted our “new friend.”

Something Smelled Fishy (and Not Just at the Mud Baths)

He said Turkey didn’t do child pricing, which seemed odd but believable in our tired state. He even arranged a free taxi to take us into town – which dropped us directly at a shop called Mr Cheap, where we were whisked in like VIPs. We bought some T-shirts, still blissfully unaware.

The Moment We Realised the Jet2 Marmaris Scam

Later, on the beach, I finally checked the payment. The exchange rate was poor – but worse, we’d been charged £320. Not £80 for two excursions – but £80 each, for all four of us. And still no discount for the boys. That’s when we realised we’d been caught in a classic Jet2 Marmaris scam. Local tour shops were offering the same trips for a fraction of what we paid – with child discounts. We reported it to the hotel, who rang the man to cancel. He refused. The hotel said they didn’t know him, and Jet2 confirmed they didn’t have a rep in Marmaris. They suggested we call the police.

How Did He Know Our Room?

The man had called our room using our surname. When we asked about data protection, we were told the transfer company had our details and he was “somehow linked.” But that still didn’t explain how he knew our room number and our names. Nobody seemed to know – or want to investigate.

Confrontation in Reception

We thought that was the end of it – until the next morning. I was playing table tennis with Samuel when Thomas came running over in tears saying, “Mummy’s fighting in reception!” Elaine had spotted the man charming another couple and bravely confronted him. Hotel staff quickly escorted him out, and we never saw him again. While the hotel staff were polite, they insisted they were not responsible and said the issue likely stemmed from the transfer provider. The man behind our Jet2 Marmaris scam was now charming another family.

A Birthday We Won’t Forget

On our final day, a letter was slipped under our door. We thought maybe it was an apology, a refund, or at least an explanation. It simply said: “Happy Birthday!” (It was indeed my birthday.)

Lessons We Learned from the Jet2 Marmaris Scam

• Never trust anyone claiming to be a rep unless confirmed by your tour operator.
• Always check the card machine total and currency before tapping.
• Be wary of anyone offering deals that seem “just for you.”
• If a taxi takes you straight to a shop – it’s probably not a favour.

Would We Go Back?

Honestly, yes. Marmaris was stunning, and the real excursions were fantastic. But this scam left a bitter taste, and we’d be far more cautious next time. If this story helps just one other family avoid the same trap, it’s worth sharing. Read about what we did enjoy in our Dalyan River boat trip blog or Jeep Safari trip blog. Report scams to your tour provider and visit Jet2 Holidays official site to confirm any reps. Have you ever been scammed abroad? Let us know in the comments or share your story with us on social media – and stay savvy!