Brit holidaymakers in Tenerife sent urgent warning over scam in 'problem area'

Brits jetting off to one of Spain's holiday hotspots have been issued a stark warning: "Be careful!"

Tenerife, the crown jewel of the Canary Islands, attracted an impressive 5.6million visitors last year, making it the most popular destination within the archipelago. The island's vastness caters for diverse vacation styles, from serene beach retreats to vibrant nightlife escapades.

However, with tourist hotspots comes the heightened risk of crime. And a British expat has now sounded the alarm about a particular scam prevalent on the island.

TikTok user @seb_tenerife, who has made Tenerife his home, highlighted a ruse where scammers ask unsuspecting tourists to use their mobile phone under various pretences, such as seeking directions or claiming they've lost their companions, only to make off with the device once it's unlocked. This is also said to be an issue in Benidorm

Seb cautioned that "pickpockets" are a common problem in Tenerife too.

"I would just again be very careful," he advised. "Benidorm is a lot like Tenerife - both great holiday destinations, great weather, booze is flying, everyone's here for a good time, very similar sorts of destinations [...] But obviously, like anywhere where holiday places are [...] You've just got to be wary."

Seb pinpointed one specific trouble spot on the island - the beachfront resort of Playa de las Americas and the nearby strip known as Veronica's. He warned: "Las Americas does seem to be the spot where it's all happening, especially down Veronica's [...] So aye, just be careful, watch your belongings, and you'll be absolutely sound."

Warning: Video below contains explicit language...

In the comments section, Seb clarified that these incidents mostly happen "due to alcohol", with individuals being too intoxicated to be mindful of their surroundings. His video has since garnered more than 15,000 views on TikTok.