Accommodation Scams in Moscow

Online Accommodation Fraud for Russia-Bound Tourists

With most mainstream booking platforms operating under restrictions for Russian hotels following 2022 sanctions, fraudulent listing sites and fake rental agencies have proliferated, targeting tourists who search for Moscow accommodation outside major platforms. These sites use stolen photos of legitimate Moscow apartments near Patriarch's Ponds or Zamoskvorechye district, collect full payment or a security deposit via international transfer or cryptocurrency, and are unreachable on arrival. Some also sell counterfeit invitation letters needed for Russian tourist visa applications that will fail border inspection.