Booking.com fraud involves fake Milan apartment

Fraudsters have utilized a sophisticated hack on the Booking.com platform to advertise a non-existent apartment in central Milan. The scam targeted international tourists by offering a 59-square-meter apartment for a heavily discounted price of 39 euros per night.

Investigations revealed that the scammers hijacked the digital identity and reviews of a legitimate Bed & Breakfast in Monopoli, known as the Govinda Shanty House. By using the same account ID as the real establishment, the perpetrators were able to lend credibility to the fake Milan listing. The fraud was brought to light after a tourist from the United States alerted the actual owners of the Monopoli property about the suspicious listing appearing under their account.

Similar fraudulent activities have reportedly been observed in other locations along the Adriatic coast.