Peter Giesel warns of vacation scams as new season starts

Television presenter Peter Giesel, host of the consumer‑watch programme “Achtung Abzocke”, launched the twelfth season of the spin‑off “Urlaubsbetrügern auf der Spur” on 16 July 2026. In interviews he warned that a growing “vacation‑scam trend” is centred on fake holiday rentals, especially in Croatia, which he described as a “massive problem”. He also cautioned travellers about similar schemes in southern France, while noting that Mallorca offers a registration system that lets users verify listings online. Giesel highlighted that scammers often operate through non‑existent travel portals, taking thousands of euros from victims, and he criticised German authorities for being overstretched and lacking dedicated investigative units.

The new season also visits the upcoming FIFA World‑Cup host cities of Seattle (USA) and Vancouver (Canada), showcasing a range of frauds from overpriced safaris to bogus souvenirs. Giesel urged holidaymakers worldwide to stay vigilant, compare prices, use official registration numbers where available, and report suspicious offers.

He added that while the phenomenon is not a mass‑scale crime, it still constitutes a serious fraud that can leave victims financially stranded, and he hopes the programme will continue to raise awareness and press for stronger consumer protection measures.