Vacation dream in Val Gardena ends in nightmare: fraud at vacation apartment!

Vacation dream in Val Gardena ends in nightmare: fraud at vacation apartment!

Holidays in the Dolomites can become a nightmare, as the current case of two tourists from the province of Florence shows. They were planning a stay in Ortisei in Val Gardena and came across a tempting advertisement for a holiday home on Facebook. After contacting the supposed landlord, they transferred a deposit of 200 euros to secure their booking.

However, when they arrived in Val Gardena, they were shocked to find that the accommodation did not exist. Instead of a holiday home, they found an ordinary private apartment whose owners knew nothing about renting it out. The provider who had collected the deposit could no longer be reached. The affected holidaymakers then contacted the local authorities and informed them about the fraud.

Carabinieri investigations

The carabinieri in Ortisei immediately began investigations. The recipient of the transfer, a 29-year-old man from the province of Naples, was quickly identified. It turns out he already has a record and has been reported for similar offenses. The investigators are now checking whether he deceived other vacationers.

The carabinieri urgently warn against unsecured online bookings. In particular, the provincial command in Bolzano recommends thoroughly checking the seriousness of advertisements in order to avoid such cases of fraud.

The incidents in Val Gardena once again illustrate how important caution is when planning a vacation. Platforms like Facebook in particular, which are often considered uncomplicated, can pose risks in the form of fraudulent offers. Travelers should always ensure they are dealing with trustworthy providers and seek reviews or recommendations if necessary.

In summary, this case shows that the online world also brings risks. A supposedly wonderful vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don't get enough information. The Carabinieri advise people to exercise healthy skepticism when booking accommodation and not to hesitate to contact the police if fraud is suspected.

For more information about this case and other similar incidents, you can read the reports from South Tyrol News and Italy News see.