Accommodation Scams in Mexico City, Mexico
Fake listings, bait-and-switch hotels, ghost rentals, and check-in fraud. Below are the accommodation scams scams reported in Mexico City — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like New York, Cancun, and Tijuana.
Last updated: April 6, 2026
2
Accommodation Scams Scams
19
Total in Mexico City
How it works
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.
How it works
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.
See all scams in Mexico City
19 total warnings across all categories