Jet2 Marmaris Scam – How We Lost £320 at Our Hotel
We were caught in a Jet2 Marmaris scam that cost us £320 — all from a fake rep operating inside our hotel. In this post, we explain exactly what happened, how the scam worked, and how you can avoid the same mistake on your holiday.
They say you learn from your mistakes. Our Jet2 Marmaris scam involved a fake rep, two unsuspecting parents, and a 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 the Scam
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 Fake Jet2 Rep
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.”
🎭 This man posed as a Jet2 rep — costing us £320 in fake excursions.
Something Didn’t Feel Right
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 Scam
Later, on the beach, I finally checked the payment.
The exchange rate was poor – but worse, we’d been charged £320. Not £80 total — but £80 per person for all four of us.
That’s when we realised we’d been caught in a classic Jet2 Marmaris scam.
Local tour shops were offering the same trips for far less — with proper child discounts. We reported it to the hotel, who rang the man to cancel. He refused.
Jet2 later confirmed they didn’t have a rep at the hotel.
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.
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 escorted him out, and we never saw him again.
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!”
How to Avoid a Jet2 Marmaris Scam
- Only trust reps confirmed by your tour operator
- Never book excursions from unsolicited hotel calls
- Always check the card machine total before paying
- Compare prices with local, reputable excursion shops
- Be cautious of “special deals” that feel too personal
Would We Go Back?
Honestly, yes. Marmaris was stunning, and the real excursions were fantastic.
But this experience taught us to be far more cautious.
If this helps one family avoid the same mistake — it’s worth sharing.
Read about what we did enjoy in our Dalyan River boat trip blog or Jeep Safari trip blog.
To verify official reps, visit the Jet2 Holidays website.
Have you ever been scammed abroad? Let us know in the comments — your story might help someone else.
