(Credit - Khaleej Times)
Fake Chalet and Holiday Rental Scams: What to Watch For
In early June 2026 Dubai Police warned residents after a Dubai resident lost Dh8,000 to a fake chalet rental. The pattern is common across the UAE in the summer holiday season. This guide explains how the scam works, the red flags, and what to do if you have paid.
How the scam works
- A scammer copies photos and details from a genuine listing and reposts them at a price well below market.
- After you show interest, they ask for money before any viewing or contract: a booking deposit, a documentation fee or a refundable insurance fee.
- Once you pay, the phone is switched off and the listing disappears. Often the property does not exist, or the real owner has no connection to the person who took the money.
Red flags
| Sign | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Price far below similar properties in the area | The main warning sign Dubai Police point to |
| Pressure to pay today | Claims of high demand or an expiring offer stop you checking |
| Payment to a personal or unknown account | Hard to trace or recover |
| Fees asked before a viewing or contract | A real owner or agency will let you inspect first |
| The advertiser moves you off the original platform | Messaging apps and direct messages avoid platform checks |
Before you pay anything
- Visit and inspect the property in person, or ask for a live video walkthrough if you cannot.
- Verify the identity of the landlord or real estate company, and check ownership documents.
- In Dubai, ask the host for the holiday home permit number issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism, and make sure it matches the listing. A genuine host will give it before payment. Contact the department through its official channels rather than third-party “verification” sites.
- Pay through a recognised platform with buyer protection, not a direct transfer to an individual.
- Get a written confirmation stating dates, total price, what is included and how the deposit is refunded.
If you have already paid
- Keep every screenshot, chat, receipt and the listing link.
- Report it to Dubai Police through the e-Crime platform at ecrime.ae, or call 901 for non-emergency cases.
- Tell your bank immediately so it can try to stop or flag the transfer.
- Report the account to the platform where you found the listing.
The same tactic is being used in Abu Dhabi, covered in our guide to Abu Dhabi Police’s warning on fake rental accounts. For a broader checklist, see how to spot impersonation scams.
Frequently asked questions
What do scammers ask for before a viewing?
A booking deposit, a documentation fee or a refundable insurance fee, before any viewing or contract.
How can I check a Dubai holiday host?
Ask for the holiday home permit number issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism and make sure it matches the listing. A genuine host will give it before payment. Contact the department through its official channels rather than third-party “verification” sites.
What is the safest way to pay?
Through a recognised platform with buyer protection, not a direct transfer to an individual, and with a written confirmation of dates, total price, inclusions and how the deposit is refunded.
Where to go next
- Abu Dhabi Police warning on fake rental accounts
- How to spot impersonation scams
- UAE online scam safety: stop, verify, act
- Dubai tenancy contract checklist
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