Fake Booking Site Scams in Tunisia
Fraudulent holiday-rental and hotel-booking sites target tourists visiting Tunisia's coastal resorts, collecting payments for accommodation that does not exist.
Part of: Fake Booking Sites
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Tunisia's thriving tourism industry — particularly the beach resorts of Hammamet, Sousse, and Djerba — attracts millions of visitors annually. Scammers have built convincing fake booking sites and social media listings that offer below-market prices for villas, apartments, and hotels, collecting payment from visitors who arrive to find no reservation exists.
Tunisian residents looking to rent property locally are also targeted, paying deposits for apartments that the 'landlord' has no right to rent, often because they have stolen photographs of a real property and invented their ownership.
How this scam works on Tunisia
Fake holiday rental listings in Tunisia appear on international property platforms, Facebook Marketplace, and dedicated rental websites. They use professional-quality stolen photographs and plausible descriptions of real Tunisian resorts. Victims pay a deposit or full rental fee via bank transfer or PayPal and receive a booking confirmation that turns out to be worthless.
A variant targets domestic renters in Tunis, Sfax, and other cities: fake landlords advertise well-priced apartments, conduct virtual tours using stolen images, collect a deposit and first month's rent, then provide keys that do not work — or simply stop responding.
Scammers also impersonate legitimate travel agencies, particularly those offering package tours to popular Tunisian destinations, collecting full payment then providing no services.
Common red flags
- Price is significantly below comparable legitimate listings in the same area
- Landlord or agent insists on bank transfer or unusual payment method rather than platform-protected payment
- Property photos appear on reverse-image search linked to a different address or country
- Agent is reluctant to schedule an in-person visit or video walkthrough before payment
- Booking confirmation email has an unprofessional layout or a free email domain
- Communication switches from the platform's messaging system to personal email or WhatsApp
How to protect yourself
- Book only through established platforms with built-in payment protection and dispute resolution
- Reverse-image-search all property photos before paying any deposit
- Request a live video call walkthrough of the property before transferring any money
- Verify travel agency registration with the Office National du Tourisme Tunisien (ONTT)
- Pay by credit card where possible, as chargebacks are easier than recovering bank transfers
How to report it
- Report to ONTT if a fraudulent travel agency or rental service is involved
- File a complaint with the BNIT cybercrime unit, particularly if the fraud occurred online
- Report fake listings to the platform on which they appeared
Frequently asked questions
The landlord offers a virtual tour but sends a pre-recorded video instead of a live call — is that a problem?
Yes. Pre-recorded video can be reused across many fake listings and doesn't confirm the property is currently available or that you're speaking with the real owner. Insist on a live, interactive video walkthrough where you can ask them to show specific details in real time.
Is it safer to pay a deposit for a Tunisian rental via PayPal 'friends and family' to avoid fees?
No — friends and family payments typically waive buyer protection, which is exactly what scammers prefer. Use a payment method or platform that offers dispute resolution, even if it costs a small fee.
How do I check if a Hammamet or Djerba rental listing's photos are stolen?
Reverse-image-search several of the listing photos. If they appear on other websites, under different property names, or in different countries, the listing is very likely fraudulent.
Are rental scams common in Tunisian tourist areas specifically?
Coastal resort areas with high tourist demand are disproportionately targeted because the volume of bookings makes it easier for scammers to operate undetected. Always use reputable, established booking platforms.