Bedbug hoax targets foreign tourists in Athens
Scammers are scaring visitors out of short-term rental flats with fictitious infestation
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Greece's health ministry is seeking police help in tackling hoaxers who have been trying to scare tourists out of some Athens short-term rental flats by inventing a bedbug crisis.
A ministry statement released on Tuesday (5 December) said the posters stuck up outside apartment blocks in the city centre, festooned with fake ministry and Athens municipality logos, were “absolutely false.”
The posters, addressed to “dear visitors” in misspelt English, claimed health authorities had ordered local “private guesthouses” evacuated “to protect the public health of permanent Greek tenants.”
Citing a non-existent bedbug infestation, they threatened visitors with a €500 fine for failure to leave their flats, and politely wished them a pleasant stay in Greece.
In addition to a cost-of-living crisis, Athens and other parts of Greece face housing problems largely caused by the proliferation of short-term rental flats that are mainly used by foreign visitors.
That has helped fuel a surge in long-term rental costs for Greeks, many of whom are priced out of residential areas in central Athens. Property values are also spiralling, in part due to a “golden visa” programme offering residence to foreign property investors.
Tourism is a key driver of Greece's economy, accounting for a fifth of annual output, and 2023 is expected to be a record year for arrivals.
The health ministry said it has instructed the police “to do what is necessary” to deal with the hoax. It said that “nobody is allowed to terrorize and misinform the public” on public health issues.
Greece is yet to record any major trouble with the creepy-crawlies that recently caused consternation in France.