The Cyber Police warned about a new scheme of fraudsters with housing rentals in the Carpathians.

Ukrainians planning a vacation in the Carpathians have become targets for cybercriminals. Fraudsters are mass-producing fake advertisements for housing rental, collecting advance payments for non-existent houses and apartments. This was reported by the official Telegram channel of the Cyber Police Department on October 7, 2025.

Signs of Fraud

According to inkorr.com: The head of the online fraud prevention department of the Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine, Oleksandr Ulyanenko, explained in the program 'Breakfast with 1+1' how to recognize suspicious accounts and protect oneself during online booking.

The scheme of fraud looks simple but effective. Swindlers create attractive advertisements with photos of comfortable houses in picturesque locations of the Carpathians, set an enticing price, and demand advance payment. After receiving the funds, communication with the 'landlord' is cut off, and tourists are left without money and housing.

Experts identified nine key signs that can help detect a fake account. First, pay attention to newly created pages with a large number of photos uploaded in one day. Among the followers of such accounts, there are mostly bots, and there are no mentions from real people.

Suspicion should be raised by:

• absence of a contact phone number;
• too low a price compared to the market;
• if the payment is made not to the account of an individual entrepreneur or LLC, but to a personal card;
• refusal of video communication to demonstrate the real estate;
• frequent changes in the name of the page.

Calls for Caution

Cyber Police representatives urge Ukrainians to be vigilant when booking housing online. Checking the account for the above signs takes only a few minutes but can prevent loss of money and spoiled vacations.

With the rise of fake advertisements for housing rental in the Carpathians and other popular tourist destinations, it is essential to remain cautious. Fraudsters lure people into risky deals that can lead to financial losses and emotional stress. Therefore, before booking housing, check the advertisements and follow the experts' advice for a safe vacation.