Cesenatico (Forlì-Cesena), August 10, 2026 – The alert on the Romagna Riviera continues regarding the so-called “ghost houses,” nonexistent accommodation facilities used to carry out scams against tourists who book online. In the last few days alone, between Cesenatico and Milano Marittima, about 120 people have been involved in bookings for residences that turned out to be nonexistent. On the case, Codacons has already filed a complaint with the Forlì Prosecutor’s Office, requesting to ascertain the responsibilities related to the frauds.
Insidious phenomenon: here is the mechanism
A particularly insidious phenomenon on the eve of Ferragosto, when the scarcity of accommodations, high prices, and the need to find a last-minute lodging can push vacationers to quickly finalize a booking without performing the necessary checks. The mechanism is often the same: seemingly regular ads, attractive photos, and affordable prices attract the tourist, who pays a deposit or the full amount, only to discover upon arrival that the accommodation does not exist, is not available, or that the person who collected the money had no right to rent it out.
Tips to keep in mind
Precisely to prevent the holiday rush from turning into a trap, Codacons urges utmost caution and lists a series of tips. The first is to be wary of prices that are too low: if an apartment costs much less than other facilities in the same area and for the same period, further checks are necessary. Then it is essential to verify that the facility actually exists, by checking the address on online maps, searching the property name on the web, and comparing location, contacts, and photos.
Beware of images and photos posted
Also beware of images: particularly professional photos may have been copied from other ads. An online image search can therefore help understand if the same photos are used for different properties. Codacons also recommends comparing multiple sources, searching for the facility on different portals, reading reviews, and checking how long the ad has been online.
Do not leave booking platforms
It is also essential not to leave booking platforms. If the negotiation starts on a portal, be wary of those who propose moving it to WhatsApp, email, or other private channels, perhaps promising a discount. Particular caution should be reserved for payments: it is better to avoid systems that make it difficult to recover money and especially requests that bypass the platform’s protected payment systems. Also, never be rushed by messages like “only one availability left” or by requests to immediately pay a deposit.
Before paying, pay close attention to links and sites
Before paying, you must also carefully check links and sites, verifying the page address before entering personal or banking data and paying attention to sites that graphically imitate well-known portals. Finally, Codacons advises keeping all documentation: ads, photos, conversations, emails, receipts, and booking confirmations can be crucial in case of disputes or complaints. If a scam is suspected, act immediately by contacting your payment institution and turning to the competent authorities or consumer associations, without deleting the available evidence.
The inquiry by Brothers of Italy
Brothers of Italy also intervenes on the case. Regional councilor and group president Marta Evangelisti has submitted an inquiry to the Regional Council asking what initiatives it intends to adopt after the cases in Cesenatico and Milano Marittima. Among the requests are extraordinary coordination with Prefectures, Police Headquarters, Postal Police, and coastal municipalities, a permanent table with the main online booking platforms, and the introduction of stricter controls on the identification codes of facilities before the publication of ads. Evangelisti also asks what cross-checks are already carried out by the Region, a digital education campaign aimed at tourists, and whether the Region considers supporting municipalities and consumer associations in any legal actions.
