Britons held in Majorca in war on holiday bug cowboys

TWO Britons suspected of encouraging holidaymakers to make dishonest compensation claims have been arrested in Majorca.

The pair were held on Friday in what are believed to be the first arrests of their kind in Spain.

The move follows Mail on Sunday investigations which have found rogue claims firms in the UK are encouraging British tourists to lie about being taken ill to claim thousands of pounds. The practice is costing the travel industry millions – which could push up the cost of holidays.

The pair, who have not been named, are expected to face a judicial investigation after being quizzed by police. They are believed to have targeted holidaymakers in hotels in Alcudia, Majorca.

Their arrests follow a campaign by hoteliers in Spain, and other holiday hotspots such as Greece and Portugal, against bogus claims. Last month, the Foreign Office warned holidaymakers in Portugal they would face legal action if they submitted false claims.

The Association of British Travel Agents says there has been a 434 per cent rise in the number of gastric illness claims from British tourists since 2013, with payouts of as much as £2,000 in some cases.

UK visitors to Spain and Portugal are said to be the worst offenders.