People are renting properties that do not actually exist.

Scammers created fake websites and pages on social media and promoted apartments, houses and villas that do not exist, managing to extract money from unsuspecting clients. The clients proceeded to the full payment of the property for the interested dates and they were surprised when they realized that the property does not exist.

People are asked to be sure prior proceeding with a payment, double check about the website, advertisement and property.

Things to do to check the validity of the advertisement:
1) Check the email address, avoid any contact with emails that are not professional emails.
2) Prefer to transfer the money to a valid bank account, preferably a Cypriot one.
3) Try to get in touch through a personal meeting or a phone call to make sure that you can trust the owner/manager of the property or the website you will use.

People should get advised from the Cypriot police for such scams through their official website: www.police.gov.cy and the Office for Combating Cybercrime & Digital Forensics Lab: www.cyberalert.cy .

Feel free to get in touch with iSTAY to get all relevant information and we are here to help and advice on the steps you can follow to be sure and safe.

Get in touch via email at: [email protected]

Get in touch through our website: www.istay.com.cy

Get in touch via phone: 70009193