Thousands of holiday rental frauds concern Portuguese authorities
Security forces warn of fraudulent schemes in holiday rental, with thousands of victims recorded in recent years.
Thousands of holiday rental frauds concern Portuguese authorities
National security forces have accumulated more than six thousand complaints of fraud linked to tourist accommodation since 2022. The data emerge in a warning issued by the PSP to the public, at a time of high demand for last-minute bookings.
According to the Correio da Manhã, the PSP documented 4553 cases of this nature over the past three years. The GNR added a further 1487 identical incidents in the most recent two-year period alone.
The fraudulent schemes typically operate through false advertisements that convince interested parties to transfer money in advance. After payment, the accommodation proves non-existent or does not match the promised conditions.
In light of the growing volume of reports, the authorities appeal to citizens to exercise greater care when making online reservations, particularly during the holiday period, when demand reaches maximum levels.
Source: Correio da Manhã