Filenews 12 August 2022
Recently, the Police have received several complaints from citizens about online fraud involving reservations of rentals of houses (Villas) and other tourist accommodation.
Specifically, the thieves make fake advertisements for the rentals of various tourist houses (mainly Villas) which they publish on various relevant websites. The ads are accompanied by relevant photos. Then, when the person concerned contacts the alleged owner, a meeting is arranged for an inspection of the house. The thieves 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), after externally inspecting the house to be rented and if they liked it, to proceed with the reservation of the house, by remitting a sum of money to a bank account granted to them. The victims on the date where the detention was agreed, find that this is a fraud since no rental exists and the advertiser is not related to the alleged owner.
• The public is urged to be especially careful before making any payment.
• Confirm that the ad is indeed authentic.
• If the reservation is to be made through a relevant website on which the rented space is offered, the payment is preferable to be made through the same service and not through a personal arrangement with the owner.
• For independent ads, it is preferable to make the reservation in person, within the house offered for rent.
