Ripped off in the Alpine paradise: How fake vacation apartments trick vacationers in Bavaria

Dream vacation booked - but the apartment doesn't exist

The view: breathtaking. The apartment: supposedly perfect. The vacation: a bust.
What sounds like a nightmare is a bitter reality for more and more holidaymakers in Bavaria. The most recent example: a family books a vacation apartment in the Zugspitz village of Grainau for 1,500 euros - via a well-known platform. But when they arrive, it turns out that the apartment doesn't even exist.

And this is not an isolated case. A neighbor reports to the police that there have been at least 25 similar cases at this address this year alone. The principle: fraudsters put fictitious vacation accommodation online, cash in - and disappear. The holidaymakers then stand in front of a door with suitcases, children and anger in their stomachs, behind which nothing is waiting for them.

New scam - old rip-off: Now also active in Bavaria

This type of scam is actually familiar from overcrowded hotspots such as Mallorca, Paris or the Canary Islands. But the scam is now also seeping into German vacation regions - including the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Upper Bavaria. And what used to take place via dubious websites is now even happening via established booking portals such as Airbnb, TripAdvisor, Check24 or Booking.

The tricks are becoming more and more sophisticated

• Pictures and descriptions of real accommodation are copied.
• Or deceptively real fantasy objects are created with the help of AI.
• Communication often takes place by e-mail or chat - fast, friendly, but anonymous.
• Payment is made outside the platform - usually "for technical reasons".

Sounds familiar? Then you'd better stay away immediately!

How to recognize fraud - and protect yourself against it

Travel expert Julia Zeller from the Bavarian consumer advice center puts it in a nutshell:
"What sounds too good to be true is usually not a serious offer."

A chalet with a mountain view for 49 euros a night? Or a luxury villa by the lake for half the market price? No - not a stroke of luck, but almost always a trap.

What you can do instead

• Never make a booking outside the platform.
• Check imprint, contact details and ratings.
• If you are unsure: Contact the local tourist information office. Many places like Berchtesgaden or Tegernsee can help you quickly.
• If no direct contact person or address is given: Beware, risk of fraud!

And if it does happen? Report it to the police - and be sure to inform the relevant tourist information office. They are often the first to recognize further cases and warn platforms.

Welcome to the digital Wild West

You dutifully pay your 1,500 euros - and get nothing but hot air. What's particularly bitter is that the fraud takes place via platforms that you actually trust. But they often duck away and say: "Online fraud is a challenge." I see. The real challenge, however, is borne by the holidaymakers - with empty pockets and a ruined dream vacation.

This scam should be consistently punished. And platforms such as Booking or Airbnb must take on more responsibility. Anyone who collects money worldwide must also protect it worldwide - and not just react when the scandal reaches the police. Until then, unfortunately: trust is good - screenshots, common sense and a good dose of skepticism are better.