Three individuals were apprehended by authorities at Caticlan Airport on Thursday, December 18, 2025, for their alleged involvement in a travel booking scam using counterfeit credit cards.
Details of the Airport Interception
The suspects were intercepted during their attempt to return from Boracay to Davao. According to an advisory from Cebu Pacific, the group is accused of utilizing fraudulent credit cards to purchase airline tickets. Their scheme involved booking flights and then reselling the travel funds for profit.
The airline confirmed it is now working closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the investigation. The incident has prompted a strong public warning from the carrier regarding the dangers of buying tickets from unverified sources.
Cebu Pacific's Official Warning to Passengers
In its statement, Cebu Pacific explicitly cautioned the public against purchasing tickets from unauthorized sellers on social media platforms. The airline emphasized that transactions outside official channels pose significant risks to travelers.
Passengers who buy tickets through these illicit means may face numerous problems, including:
- Invalid or incomplete bookings.
- Unexpected additional charges.
- Severely disrupted travel plans.
- Inability to check in online or rebook flights.
- Difficulty processing refunds or adding baggage and meals.
The core issue is that tickets bought from unauthorized sellers may be issued with incorrect fares, rendering them illegitimate in the airline's system.
How to Ensure Safe and Legitimate Bookings
Cebu Pacific stressed that the only way to guarantee a valid booking is to use its official sales channels. The airline reiterated that only its own platforms and accredited travel partners are authorized to sell its tickets.
Passengers are urged to book flights exclusively through the Cebu Pacific official website at www.cebupacificair.com or via the airline's official mobile app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Booking through these methods ensures access to the airline's guaranteed lowest fares and full, legitimate booking services.
This incident serves as a critical reminder for all travelers to exercise vigilance and only transact with trusted, official outlets to avoid falling victim to similar scams that can lead to financial loss and travel chaos.
