Every summer, Spanish police receive a wave of reports involving fraudulent holiday rentals. What’s even more alarming is that these scams are often orchestrated by well-organized criminal groups with advanced tools and skilled professionals behind them.
While the methods may vary, most scams share two common red flags:
- A request to pay outside official rental platforms
- An urgent, last-minute “emergency” requiring immediate payment
Scammers typically use photos of real properties they have no access to — often taken from legitimate listings. You can sometimes spot this using a reverse image search on Google. But more recently, fraudsters have started using completely original images to make the listings more convincing.
Well-known platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb do reduce the risk — but they are not foolproof. Scammers constantly evolve, finding new ways to bypass verification systems.
If you suddenly hear that your reserved apartment has suffered “a flood,” or was “damaged by previous guests,” or there's been a “technical mix-up,” and now you're being offered “alternative accommodation” that requires direct payment to a private account — that’s a major red flag.
But scammers are experts at not giving you time to think. You’ll be told to act urgently, or someone else will take the property — and your dream holiday will be ruined.
Once the payment is made, the money usually goes to "money mules" — individuals who lend their bank accounts to criminal groups, often without fully realizing the scheme they’re part of. They help cash out the funds for a cut.
Authorities do catch some of these mules, but they rarely lead to the masterminds. Meanwhile, the organizers of these scams are making millions of euros every year.
Stay alert! Never rush into payments. If you spot any warning signs like those described above, report it immediately to the authorities. But — and this is key — don’t cut off contact with the scammer. Your next call should be made with a police officer present, so real action can be taken.
