Guardia Civil Alert: The new holiday villa scam sweeping TikTok
The Guardia Civil has warned of a growing number of scams involving holiday villa rentals, where fraudsters lure tourists with unusually cheap accommodation deals advertised online.
According to the police force, criminal networks are increasingly using social media platforms, particularly TikTok, to promote villas and holiday homes at prices far below the usual market rates.
The scammers typically post attractive advertisements using stolen photographs taken from genuine property listings on real estate websites. Once a potential customer shows interest, the fraudsters claim that there are many other people interested in the property and pressure the victim to make an immediate deposit to secure the booking.
Victims are then asked to send the deposit, or sometimes even the full cost of the stay, via Bizum or bank transfer.
However, once the money has been paid, the supposed property owner blocks the victim and disappears, leaving them with no reservation and no way to recover the money.
How to spot a holiday rental scam
The Guardia Civil is urging travellers to be cautious of deals that appear too cheap, warning that unusually low prices are often a sign of fraud.
Police advise holidaymakers to request documentation proving the property belongs to the person advertising it, and to search for the accommodation name online to confirm that it actually exists and that the contact details match.
Checking reviews from previous guests is also important. If there are no comments or the profile appears to have been created recently, it should be treated as a warning sign.
Authorities also recommend using official booking platforms whenever possible, as these often provide secure payment systems and cancellation protection. Payments made outside these platforms should be avoided.
What to do if you have been scammed
Anyone who suspects they may have fallen victim to a scam should contact their bank immediately in an attempt to stop or reverse the transaction.
Victims are also advised to gather all available evidence, including screenshots of the advert, conversations with the alleged owner through messaging apps or email, and any payment receipts.
This information should then be taken to the nearest police station to file a formal report.
The Guardia Civil stresses that prevention is the best defence against online fraud, warning travellers not to let offers that appear “too good to be true” ruin their holiday.
Investigations into these scams are ongoing, and anyone affected is encouraged to report the incident to the Guardia Civil so officers can work to identify those responsible.
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