A Belgian family visiting Cesenatico, Italy, for summer vacation was scammed twice after booking two non-existent holiday rentals on the same booking platform.
The family arrived in the Adriatic coastal city on Monday, Aug. 3, expecting to check into the Residence Da Andrea on Viale Giovanni Pascoli. Italian media outlet Il Resto del Carlino reported that the address was actually occupied by employees of an insurance company. The father said the situation was a shock after a long journey, adding that his family had planned to unpack and head straight to the beach before discovering no trace of the residence.
Relocation and city response
After finding the first location fake, the family drove to the Cervia area and Milano Marittima to reach a second property reserved on the same rental platform. That residence also did not exist. The father said local hoteliers and the Palazzo del Turismo eventually helped them secure an affordable hotel room through Aug. 10, allowing them to continue their holiday.
The family was among several tourists targeted by the accommodation fraud. Officials in Cesenatico worked with the city tourist office and local campsite to provide alternative housing for nearly all victims of the scam.
