Israeli Families Scammed by Nonexistent Villa Booking in Greece

A group of Israeli families who booked a villa in Greece through Booking.com were shocked to find upon arrival that the property did not exist. Despite paying thousands of euros and communicating with a person claiming to be the owner, the families could not locate the villa or its owner. Yael Gladstone, one of the families, told Channel 12 News that locals laughed when asked about the villa, indicating they were aware it was a scam. The booking was made in May, but only after arriving in Greece did the families discover recent online reviews warning of fraud related to the listing.

Left without accommodation, the families had to make a second, more expensive booking through Booking.com to secure a place to stay, fearing another scam. Attempts to resolve the issue with Booking.com have been unsuccessful, with the company stating they cannot verify the claim because the owner is unresponsive and therefore do not take responsibility for the lost funds. As of the morning after the incident, the fraudulent listing was still active on the site. The families paid a deposit of 3,888 euros and struggled to get consistent customer service while still in Greece, including dropped calls when trying to reach Booking.com.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges with online vacation rental fraud and the difficulties victims face in obtaining refunds and support from booking platforms. The families continue to seek reimbursement and warn others to be cautious when booking accommodations abroad.