In a statement, the GNR stated that in 2023 it registered 214 cases, 174 last year, and 44 cases in the first half of this year.

Jornal de Notícias published data from the PSP (National Police) on false vacation home rentals in the first half of this year in today's edition. The police received 748 reports, 17% more than in the same period in 2024.

Between 2023 and June 30 of this year, the PSP recorded 3,801 cases of false vacation rentals. In the same period, the GNR (National Republican Guard) recorded 436 illegal acts, arrested 101 people, and identified 311 suspects, according to data from Jornal de Notícias.

In a statement, the GNR reported that, within its jurisdiction, from 2023 to June 30 of this year, it recorded 436 cases of false vacation home rentals, the majority in the districts of Faro (95), Porto (79), and Braga (70).

The GNR recorded a 16.8% reduction in the number of fraud crimes involving holiday home rentals, comparing the years 2023 and 2024.

"However, it appears that this phenomenon occurs dispersedly throughout the country," according to the GNR.

In the statement, the Guard states that it arrested 60 people for committing this type of crime in 2023, 29 in 2024, and 12 this year (provisional data as of June 30).

For this same type of crime, 140 suspects were also identified in 2023, 138 in 2024, and 33 in the first half of 2025.

The GNR states that there is no specific modus operandi for this crime, as multiple methods are used to achieve the same objective.

"As a rule, we find that suspects post advertisements for property rentals at attractive prices on prominent and highly visible websites. Some of these advertisements may be accompanied by photographs of real properties, despite the context and rental details being false," the police officer noted.

Typically, victims search for properties to rent during the holiday season and conduct their search online. When they find the desired property, which is priced lower than the competition, they contact the advertiser.

The victim is asked to pay a certain amount of money, commonly called a "deposit," to secure the desired property, and only realizes they've been scammed months later.

In the statement, the GNR warns against this type of scam, recommending that the public be wary of offers with prices well below market value or that appear too advantageous compared to similar properties in the same area.

The GNR also advises comparing similar listings and, whenever possible, requesting a visit to the property. It also recommends researching the property on multiple platforms, keeping in mind that it may be advertised in different locations with different prices.

Being alert for requests for a deposit under the pretext of having many interested parties, checking for other listings with the same photos or associated fraud reports, and requesting the advertiser's or owner's identification and contact information are other recommendations.