Beware before paying for the apartment: New fraud harassing Croatia, CERT issued a warning

A new wave of online scams targeting Croatian citizens has emerged during the summer season, with victims losing hundreds of euros after paying deposits for non-existent apartments. The National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-HR) has issued a warning following an increase in such incidents, highlighting the continued prevalence of these fraudulent activities. According to reports, scammers are increasingly using stolen photographs, fake profiles, and identities of real landlords to deceive potential renters. Recent data shows that over the past few weeks, police have recorded several cases where individuals lost money after booking apartments through social media platforms. Among the affected were a 24-year-old woman from near Požege, a 38-year-old man from the Brodsko-Posavska region, and a Serbian citizen who discovered they had been communicating with fraudsters rather than genuine property owners. These individuals had paid deposits for accommodations that did not exist, leaving them financially disadvantaged. Marko Paripović, president of the Consumer Center Rijeka, noted that while the number of such scams is lower compared to previous years, there is still room for improvement. He attributed this decline to increased public awareness and the efforts of law enforcement agencies, particularly their campaigns aimed at educating citizens about identifying online fraud. “The police, especially with younger officers trained in detecting internet fraud, are doing good work,” he stated. “People are more informed about these scams and are more likely to turn to the police, which should be handling some of these responsibilities.” Despite these improvements, Paripović emphasized that online classifieds remain a major issue. “The biggest problem is advertising on internet classifieds. This area is a gray zone, not so much on platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb. The state hasn’t adequately organized control and regulation, and the State Inspectorate lacks the capacity to carry out its assigned tasks,” he explained. CERT-HR has also warned of the growing use of WhatsApp and other messaging apps by scammers, who impersonate property representatives or platform staff. They often use real user data, including names and reservation dates, to make messages appear credible. Victims receive links to fake websites and are asked to confirm payment details or re-enter credit card information. Identity theft of landlords is becoming more common, with one apartment owner from near Split reporting that scammers had used his photos to create a false profile offering accommodation and collecting payments from guests. CERT officials advise citizens not to open links received in unexpected messages, especially from unknown or foreign phone numbers, and to avoid creating a sense of urgency regarding reservation issues. All information related to accommodation and payment should be verified exclusively through official applications or websites where the reservation was made. Contacting the landlord should always be done using official details available within the platform. They recommend checking the website address before entering credit card details, using two-factor authentication where possible, and regularly monitoring bank account activity to promptly report any suspicious transactions. Experts warn that particular suspicion should be aroused by advertisements offering luxurious accommodations at unusually low prices or featuring numerous supposedly free dates during peak tourist seasons. Such offers are commonly exploited by scammers to attract victims.