The Problem
You have paid a significant deposit or full payment for a vacation rental in Turkey, but upon arrival you discover the property does not exist, looks nothing like the listing photos, is already occupied by another guest, or the landlord is refusing to return your deposit after you cancel under the agreed terms.
How the Law Works in Turkey
Vacation rental contracts — even informal ones made via messaging apps — are legally binding agreements under Turkish Code of Obligations (Borçlar Kanunu). If the property is misrepresented or unavailable, the owner is in breach of contract and you are entitled to a full refund. Turkish Consumer Protection Law (No. 6502) additionally covers short-term accommodation rentals listed on digital platforms. The platforms themselves may share liability for fraudulent listings if they failed to conduct basic verification. Criminal fraud (dolandırıcılık) charges can also be filed against scammers under the Turkish Penal Code.
What the Tourist Should Do
Before paying, verify the property with a reverse image search to detect copied photos and always pay through a traceable method (credit card or bank transfer — never cryptocurrency or cash). If you arrive and the property is unavailable or misrepresented, document everything with photos and video immediately. Send a written cancellation and refund demand to the host in writing. Contact your credit card provider about a chargeback and report the listing to the platform. File a criminal fraud complaint at the nearest police station with all evidence.
The Risks
Scammers often operate across platforms using stolen identities, making it difficult to pursue them. Paying by cash or untraceable transfer eliminates your financial recourse. Delayed action reduces your chances of recovery — both legally and through bank chargebacks, which typically have tight filing windows. If you are left without accommodation you paid for, the cost of emergency alternative lodging can be significant, especially during peak season.
LetFix Solution
LetFix can file both civil claims for contractual breach and criminal fraud complaints against vacation rental scammers in Turkey, and can assist with platform dispute processes to recover your money as quickly as possible.
