Fake apartment scam via Booking in Madrid: hundreds of tourists affected
Hundreds of tourists who booked through Booking in Madrid actually lost money due to apartments that did not exist. Guests who paid 90-180 euros per night discovered upon arriving in the city that the address was not real.
Hundreds of tourists who booked a hotel in Madrid through the Booking platform have faced fraud. They paid between 90 and 180 euros per night for an apartment allegedly located at Menéndez P... address in the Retiro area, but upon arriving in the city, they discovered that no such apartment existed.
The incident shows that the verification of the real availability of listings on online booking platforms remains weak. The biggest problem for tourists is that payment is made in advance, while the address can only be verified upon arrival.
Such cases also create a trust issue for the platform itself: for the guest, it means lost money and a ruined trip, while for hosts and small hotels, it means unfairness in competition.
In Azerbaijan as well, guesthouses and small hotels mainly accept reservations through such international platforms. Therefore, the simplest step to reduce risk is for property owners to provide address, photo, and contact information accurately and in a verifiable manner, and for guests to make direct contact before arrival.