Question 1

What is the "Fake Villa Rental Deposit Scam" scam in Phuket?

Accepted Answer

Scammers post convincing listings for Phuket apartments and villas on Facebook Marketplace and Telegram using real property photos stolen from legitimate agencies. Prospective renters are asked to pay a deposit or first month rent by bank transfer before visiting in person. After payment the listing vanishes and the landlord is unreachable. Victims most often encounter this when searching for longer-stay accommodation in Rawai, Chalong, or Nai Harn. Never transfer money for accommodation you have not physically visited. Use only established rental agencies or well-reviewed platforms like Agoda or Airbnb. Insist on meeting the landlord at the property and reviewing the title deed before any payment.

Question 2

What is the "Fake Hotel Facebook Page Booking" scam in Phuket?

Accepted Answer

Fraudsters create near-identical Facebook pages mimicking real Phuket hotels using the actual hotel photos, logo, and address. Tourists who search for the property on Facebook and message through the fake page are asked to pay a deposit to confirm their booking. Thai police arrested suspects in 2024 after tourists lost over 700,000 baht to this scheme targeting Patong and Kata beach hotel clones. Book directly through the hotel official website or major OTAs such as Agoda or Booking.com. If using Facebook to find a hotel, verify the page has a blue verification tick and cross-reference the URL with the hotel own website before transferring any payment.

Accommodation Scams in Phuket

Fake Villa Rental Deposit Scam

Fake Hotel Facebook Page Booking

Experienced a scam here?