Booking.com is under investigation by EU regulators over fake listings and scams
The Guardian reported on 21 October that EU regulators are investigating Booking.com over fake listings and scams. The European Commission described the website’s approach to fraudulent listings and phishing scams in strong terms, according to the Guardian. The report was published at 15:02 UTC. The summaries available do not give the penalties possible. They do not give Booking.com’s response.
Phishing and fake listings let criminals take money from travellers before they arrive. A Commission investigation can lead to formal findings against a platform.
If you book through the site, the report is a reminder that listings can be fraudulent. The summaries do not offer specific protective steps.
The Commission’s view, as reported, is that the platform’s approach to fraud is inadequate. That is why it opened an investigation.
Booking.com’s side is not carried in the summaries, so its defence of its fraud controls is not known.
Confirmed: an EU investigation into fake listings and phishing. Not confirmed: any fine or Booking.com’s reply. Watch for the Commission’s next step.
DailyDrop U.K. edition No. 18 · Morning · THU., OCT. 22, 2026