Vacationers are increasingly turning to private accommodation rentals as hotel prices become unaffordable, but this shift has led to a rise in scams targeting travelers. Bouazza Kherrati, president of the Moroccan Federation of Consumer Rights, has warned about fraudulent practices in the sector.
According to Kherrati, some listings on platforms like Airbnb or Leboncoin may be fake, with scammers using stolen photos and offering too-good-to-be-true prices. Victims often pay deposits or full amounts upfront, only to find the property does not exist or is already occupied.
To avoid such scams, Kherrati advises verifying the host's identity, reading reviews carefully, and using secure payment methods provided by the platform. He also recommends checking local regulations, as some cities require short-term rental licenses.
The federation has received numerous complaints from tourists who lost money, especially during peak seasons. Kherrati calls for stricter regulation of online rental platforms to protect consumers.
