False Listings trap 120 holidaymakers in northern Italy

Mayor Matteo Gozzoli of Cesenatico announced that 120 holidaymakers from Northern Italy and abroad fell victim to a housing fraud after arriving at an address that turned out to be the office of an insurance agency rather than the advertised holiday resort.

The affected travelers had booked the property through online platforms that displayed photographs of a real accommodation, yet the false listings offered prices up to 60 percent below the market, with a week in peak season advertised for less than 800 euros. The address they were given was in fact the office of a local insurance agency, not a holiday resort.

The city responded with solidarity; some hotels and campsites provided free accommodations to the displaced guests. The city statement highlighted that the free rooms were offered immediately to help the victims.

On Sunday the municipal Palazzo del Turismo, also known as the Tourism Palace, opened its doors to families, offering a climate‑controlled place equipped with washrooms and drinking water. The facilities were made available at no charge to ensure comfort for the affected families.

Cesenatico, situated on the Adriatic coast, is a well‑known vacation spot that attracts visitors each summer. The town’s popularity makes the fraud especially damaging for its reputation.

Investigators have opened a case to identify the perpetrators, noting that the fraudulent listing lacked any guest reviews, a red flag that was ignored by the victims. The ongoing investigation aims to trace the individuals behind the scheme.

The scheme relied on booking platforms to collect deposits and rental payments before the victims could verify the legitimacy of the address. The scammers used the platforms to request advance payments, exploiting the trust of the holidaymakers.

Mayor Gozzoli emphasized that the unusually low rates, sometimes 50 to 60 percent under normal prices, were a key lure for the unsuspecting holidaymakers. He warned that such pricing should be treated with suspicion in future bookings.