A woman who owns an apartment in the C. Blanquerna area of Palma says an estate agency is offering the apartment for rent. She has no intention of renting it out and has had no dealings with this agency, whose website states is registered in Alicante.
"My sister and I live in the apartment. We found out it was being offered for rent without our consent because someone came looking for it and spoke to a neighbour, who told them it was a scam."
The advertisement includes photos of the apartment's interior, which may have been stolen from the agency that listed it for sale years ago, which was when the owner bought it. She has since renovated the apartment.
A month ago, she reported the scam to the National Police, who haven't responded as yet. It is still active, offering tourist rentals but also the possibility of longer stays. For this Easter, for example, the price is €1,700 from March 30 to April 5; this includes a 600 euro deposit, which "will be returned at the end of the rental agreement", and €200 in agency fees. For longer stays, one month's rent in advance is required plus deposit and agency fees.
The agency has not responded to efforts to contact it.