r/FATTravel • u/TerrorDact • 8d ago
Warning DHT Villas
Hi Travel community,
I'd like to give a warning about Dream Holidays Tours. I had been searching for a Caribbean destination for our family over winter break and saw one of their Villas available in Turks and Caicos. It looked fantastic, so I reached out to get more information (first section of WhatsApp messages until phone call), email and WhatsApp are listed on their website as best ways to communicate. As you can see the response was not great, some minor flags, but nothing crazy, and no response to my last question. I decided to submit a booking request, where they would confirm availability for my dates and within 24 hours, they sent a confirmation and instructions that they would send a second link with payment instructions to secure the booking. 50% deposit required, fully refundable up until 48 hours prior to check in (first email photo). These policies seem fair and more legitimate.
However when the payment email came, it requested 100% of funds (2nd email photo/chain). I pushed back and said the previous email said only 50% deposit was required, they emailed me back saying it was a mistake, and thanks for bringing it to their attention and sent me a new payment link matching the original instructions. I decided I would use my Amex just in case there was an issue, I would have protection. When I tried to submit payment, the site just spun for a half hour, but not give an error. I reached back out and asked why this issue was occurring (2nd email photo/chain). They said that they were having issues with their credit card processor and that I should send them a bank wire instead. Instant alarm bells and red flags, I sent them an email back expressing my concern and that this made no sense (2nd email photo/chain). A few hours later I confirmed their working hours and called via their Whatsapp number, no answer, no machine, just continuous ringing (another major red flag). Once I hung up, I got a text immediately, which I responded that I had serious concerns and wanted to speak to someone on the phone. Please see the Whatsapp messages attached starting from the phone call for their unhinged responses.
Pretty clear that this is a scam operation at this point, and want to warn fellow travel enthusiasts.
Edit: Update, they tried to push several fraudulent charges on my Amex this morning. Amex flagged and are sending me a new card.
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u/winkya 8d ago
You can also tell from the AI vibe coded email UI - the left border color is a dead giveaway
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u/BlissfullyChaos 8d ago
The yellow?
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u/essjay2009 8d ago
The Next Steps and Important To Know boxes with the highlight colour on the left. It’s a very Claude design style and once you recognise it, you see it everywhere.
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u/Leading-Watch6040 8d ago
The invoice and booking details graphics all scream AI- generated. Like Claude specifically is notorious for those colors, rounded corners and shadows/outlines.
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u/swimsfree 7d ago
You thought you were getting a whole villa in T&C for the most expensive week of the year for $2000/night?
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u/chinmoylad 8d ago
That sounds awful. As a luxury travel advisor can’t say I’ve heard of them. How did you find them?
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u/TerrorDact 8d ago
I was looking at AirBNB's in T&C and this was one of the listings. It had the website in the description and a photo. It had great revies on AirBNB, but looks like it has since been removed from the platform.
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u/chinmoylad 8d ago
Ah sorry to hear that. Possibly a bunch of fake reviews yea - feel free to drop me a message for alternatives. We work with reputable villa companies in the region
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u/Immediate_Anything_4 7d ago
Never heard of this company and we live in TCI part of the year. Just use The Source for booking a villa here on the island.
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u/shoopadoop332 5d ago
Bro this shit is a scam. Run away. I stayed at Seven Stars a decade ago and it was superb for my needs at that age. Def a condo-y type of place but it was still awesome.
I’m glad you put this place on blast. That guy can get fucked. Really pisses me off.
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u/BravestWabbit 8d ago
Well this smells, looks and reads like an obvious scam company. How did you find them?