Accommodation Scams in Moscow, Russia
Fake listings, bait-and-switch hotels, ghost rentals, and check-in fraud. Below are the accommodation scams scams reported in Moscow — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Hamburg, Marseille, and Munich.
Last updated: April 9, 2026
1
Accommodation Scams Scams
11
Total in Moscow
How it works
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.
See all scams in Moscow
11 total warnings across all categories