Question 1

What is the "Fake Vacation Rental Listing" scam in Mexico City?

Accepted Answer

Scammers clone legitimate short-term rental listings on platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Facebook Marketplace, using stolen photos and fabricated reviews to create convincing listings for apartments in popular neighborhoods like Roma Norte, Condesa, and Polanco. After collecting a deposit or full payment via wire transfer, the "host" becomes unreachable or the property turns out to already be occupied. The scam surged in CDMX alongside the city's digital nomad boom. Book only through official platform interfaces — never move payment off-platform to wire transfer, Zelle, or gift cards. Verify the listing exists on the platform's own URL and cross-check the address on Google Street View before sending any money.

Question 2

What is the "Hotel Room Bogus Minibar and Damage Charges" scam in Mexico City?

Accepted Answer

Some budget and mid-range hotels in Centro Histórico and near Benito Juárez International Airport charge guests for minibar items they never consumed or for alleged room damage on checkout. Staff may falsely mark minibar items as consumed after the guest has left the room, making the charge difficult to dispute. This is more common in hotels catering to first-time visitors near Venustiano Carranza metro station and along Eje Central. Photograph the minibar and entire room immediately upon check-in and again before checkout. Request an itemised bill before settling payment and dispute any unfamiliar charges on the spot — do not pay and then attempt to recover later.

Accommodation Scams in Mexico City

Fake Vacation Rental Listing

Hotel Room Bogus Minibar and Damage Charges

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