Mainz, Germany – The Landeskriminalamt (State Criminal Police Office) of Rhineland-Palatinate is warning citizens booking vacations to be vigilant against a surge in online fraud involving fake holiday rentals. The warning, issued on February 22, 2026, comes as many start planning travel for Easter and the summer months.
According to the police, criminals are advertising non-existent properties in popular tourist destinations, enticing potential renters with significantly discounted prices. Victims who pay upfront often arrive to find no accommodation, no contact person, and little recourse for recovering their funds.
Authorities have identified four key indicators of fraudulent listings. These include prices substantially lower than comparable properties in the region, incomplete or falsified contact information – specifically lacking a tax number or registered business address – a requirement for upfront payment via bank transfer or money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram, and a lack of direct phone contact, with communication limited to email or messaging apps.
The Landeskriminalamt advises prospective travelers to first check for any travel advisories issued by the German Foreign Office for their intended destination. Currently, the Foreign Office advises against non-essential travel to Turkey.
To protect themselves, vacationers should thoroughly investigate the provider, ensuring they have complete contact details, a legitimate legal notice (Impressum), and a secure website address. Paying by credit card or direct debit is recommended, as these methods typically offer greater protection against fraud, allowing for potential chargebacks.
Police also suggest using reverse image searches to verify the authenticity of property photos. Fraudsters frequently steal images from legitimate listings to create deceptive advertisements.
Individuals who suspect they have been targeted by a holiday rental scam are urged to immediately contact the booking platform, if applicable, and file a report with the police. Reports can be filed online through the portal at portal.onlinewache.polizei.de. It is crucial to preserve all evidence, including chat logs, emails, booking confirmations, and bank transfer records.
