Cyprus

Tourist Accommodation Scam – Renting villas they don't own

Recently, the Police has received several complaints from citizens regarding online fraud regarding the booking of rental houses (Villas) and other tourist accommodation.

In particular, the fraudsters make fake rental ads for various tourist houses (mainly villas) which they publish on various related websites. The ads are also accompanied by relevant photos. Subsequently, when the interested party contacts the supposed tenant, a meeting is arranged to inspect the house. The vigilantes do not come to the meeting in the area where the house is located, making various excuses.

They then ask the interested parties (potential victims) such as, after inspecting the house for rent from the outside and if they like it, to proceed with the reservation of the house, proceeding by transferring a sum of money to a bank account granted to them. Victims on the date the reservation was agreed upon find out that it is a scam since no reservation exists and the home is not related to the supposed owner.

Tips:

• The public is urged to be very careful before making any payment.

• To confirm that the ad is indeed authentic.

• If the reservation is to be made through a relevant website where the rental space is offered, it is preferable to make the payment through the same service and not through a personal arrangement with the owner.

• For independent ads, it is preferable to make the reservation for life, within the residence offered for rent.

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