Faro Shuttle Bus Scam Alert
Intelligence report regarding fraudulent activities targeting international tourists from the United Kingdom, United States, and European Union by the operator of faroshuttlebus.com.
Principal Suspect
Ali Raza Syed
Identified as the primary orchestrator and payment collector for this operation.
Fraudulent Domain
faroshuttlebus.com
Website is used as a front to harvest traveler booking data.
Contact Numbers
+351 914 812 953
+351 911 950 768
Portuguese GSM lines used for WhatsApp-based extortion.
Special Warning for UK, USA, and EU Tourists
This operator specifically targets tourists from the UK, USA, and Northern Europe who are unfamiliar with Portuguese VAT laws and local transportation regulations. Scammers know that international travelers are often in a hurry and more likely to pay "security fees" to ensure their family's safety during holiday transfers.
The Fraud Blueprint
Data Harvesting
User enters flight details and hotel destination on faroshuttlebus.com. No payment is taken initially to build trust.
The Contact
Ali Raza Syed contacts you via WhatsApp, pretending to be the dispatcher. He provides "confirmation" to make the ride look real.
Extortion Phase
Suddenly, the victim is told a "Security Deposit" or "Emergency VAT" is required to secure the driver. Pressure is applied.
Ghosting
After the victim sends money (often $500 - $1,000+), the operator blocks the phone number. There is no car, and no refund.
Victim Recovery & Action Plan
If you have lost money to Ali Raza Syed or Faro Shuttle Bus, follow these steps immediately:
- 1. Bank Intervention: Call your bank and state you are a victim of "Computer Fraud" (Burla Informática). Ask for the Fraud Department immediately.
- 2. Formal Police Complaint: File an online report with the Portuguese Electronic Complaint Portal. Use the name Ali Raza Syed and the phone numbers provided.
- 3. Google Search Removal: Report the URL faroshuttlebus.com to Google Safe Browsing to protect other UK/USA tourists.