More than 150 travelers arrived in Cesenatico and Milano Marittima this summer only to find the seaside home they’d paid for didn’t exist. What started as a single fake-residence scandal on Italy’s Adriatic coast has now spread to a second fraudulent home, and on August 7, 2026, consumer group Codacons filed a formal complaint asking Italian prosecutors to examine whether Booking.com itself failed to properly vet the postings.

Discover Italy with HomeExchange
💡
- More than 150 tourists were affected by fake vacation homes in Cesenatico and Milano Marittima this summer.
- A second fraudulent home, “Residence Ferrino,” was uncovered in Milano Marittima in early August 2026.
- Consumer group Codacons filed a complaint on August 7, 2026, asking prosecutors to examine Booking.com’s own vetting responsibility.
- Scammers redirected victims to pay by bank transfer or prepaid card, moving the transaction outside the platform’s protections.

How the Ghost Residence Scam Worked

Fraudsters built professional-looking postings for two nonexistent homes, Residence Da Andrea in Cesenatico and Residence Ferrino in Milano Marittima, complete with photos, descriptions, and what appeared to be valid Italian national accommodation ID codes (CIN). Because the postings were new and had no reviews yet, they looked legitimate at a glance. Once a traveler expressed interest, scammers pushed the conversation off-platform and asked for payment by bank transfer or prepaid card, including Postepay Evolution, so the transaction fell outside any purchase protection. Travelers only discovered the homes didn’t exist when they arrived at the address.

A Second Fake Home Surfaces in Milano Marittima

The scam was first flagged in early August, when dozens of families found no trace of Residence Da Andrea in Cesenatico. Investigators then traced a similar pattern to Residence Ferrino in nearby Milano Marittima, confirming the fraud wasn’t an isolated posting but a repeated operation. By August 5, 2026, more than 150 tourists had come forward, including a Belgian family of five who had arranged stays at both fake homes for the same trip. Cesenatico’s municipality, tourist office, and Civil Protection service stepped in to house stranded travelers in hotels and mobile homes.

Codacons Turns the Spotlight on Booking.com

On August 7, 2026, Codacons filed a complaint asking prosecutors to determine whether Booking.com bears responsibility for verifying its postings, given that the fake homes reportedly displayed accommodation ID codes that should have been checked against official records. No liability has been established, but the complaint pushes the investigation beyond the individual scammers to the platform that hosted the postings in the first place. Cesenatico’s mayor has also raised questions about the adequacy of the platform’s checks and said the town intends to pursue legal action over the damage to its reputation.

A Different Model: Exchanging Homes With Real Members

Most travel sites let anyone publish a new page for a home they don’t actually own, exactly the gap scammers exploited in Cesenatico and Milano Marittima. HomeExchange works differently: every stay happens directly between two members who each welcome the other into their own real, established home, verified through ID checks and years of activity within the community. It doesn’t eliminate every risk, but it removes the incentive to invent a home that was never there.

Experience the Authenticity of Italy with HomeExchange

With HomeExchange, you can live that rhythm like a local. Choose from a traditional house, a beachfront villa, or an urban apartment in the heart of a city. Each home offers a unique perspective.

HomeExchange lets you experience true belonging while saving on accommodation costs. Immerse yourself in the local community and enjoy the comforts of a home away from home.

Discover how HomeExchange works