Landlords under scrutiny for rental fraudulent activities
In recent years, Portugal has seen an increase in false vacation home rental scams, according to broader knowledge up to mid-2025. As tourism grows and the demand for short-term rental properties rises, these scams have become more prevalent.
These scams typically involve fraudulent listings where scammers pose as property owners or agents, taking deposits or full payments upfront without the intention or ability to provide the rental property.
Common scam methods include creating fake listings on popular platforms with attractive photos and prices, requesting payment via non-secure methods (e.g., wire transfers or cryptocurrency), using stolen or manipulated photos from legitimate properties, offering last-minute rental "deals" with pressure to pay quickly, and providing fake rental contracts or untraceable contact details.
The Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) and Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) are the two Portuguese agencies responsible for handling different jurisdictions, with GNR focusing on rural areas and PSP on urban ones. Both agencies track housing frauds, including rental scams, but official statistics comparing their data specifically on vacation home rental scams between 2023 and 2025 are not publicly reported in the available sources.
According to the GNR, multiple methods are used to commit false vacation home rental scams. In 2023, they registered 214 cases, with 140 suspects identified. In 2024, the number of cases dropped by 16.8%, registering 174 cases, with 138 suspects identified. However, in the first half of 2025, the number of cases increased slightly to 44, with 33 suspects identified. The PSP recorded 3,801 cases between 2023 and June 30 of 2025.
The majority of the false vacation home rental cases recorded by the GNR in the mentioned period occurred in the districts of Faro (95), Porto (79), and Braga (70). The GNR advises being alert for requests for a deposit under the pretext of having many interested parties, comparing similar listings, requesting a visit to the property whenever possible, and researching the property on multiple platforms, as it may be advertised in different locations with different prices.
When a victim finds a desired property with a lower price than the competition, they are often asked to pay a "deposit" to secure the property, and realize they've been scammed months later. The GNR also warns against offers with prices well below market value or that seem too advantageous compared to similar properties in the same area.
To avoid rental scams, it's essential to verify the identity of the advertiser or owner, check for other listings with the same photos or associated fraud reports, and be wary of non-secure payment methods. It's also advisable to compare rental prices with other properties in the same area and to read reviews from previous renters.
[1] Tourism Growth in Portugal [2] Housing Policies in Portugal
- Despite efforts by the GNR and PSP to combat false vacation home rental scams, the increase in tourism and demand for short-term rental properties in Portugal, especially in districts like Faro, Porto, and Braga, make them easier targets for such scams.
- In the realm of finance and investing, potential real-estate investors in Portugal should be aware of the prevalence of fraudulent vacation home rental listings and the common scam methods, such as non-secure payment methods and lack of verifiable contact details.
- As the debate on property rights and general news unfolds, cases of crime and justice involving false vacation home rental scams, a significant issue in Portugal's growing tourism sector, should not be overlooked.
