Beware the "Let's split the payment" scam

[Rich-and-Yan0]

Hi fellow hosts,

My wife and I are still relatively new hosts, just passing the 6-month mark about a week ago, but we have been following the hosting forums for much longer.

We have heard of various scams and scam attempts on Airbnb over the past few years, but this morning we were approached with what appears to be a new one--or at least, it was new to us. 

Basically, we got an email request for a long-term booking from this coming Tuesday, which seemed odd to us. Why, after all, would someone planning a long trip write on such short notice? The writer also claimed to be going on a business trip, which was another peculiarity. Our home is in the Algarve in southern Portugal, which is known for its climate, beaches and golfing--but not as a place people go on business trips. Even if they did, then we feel sure that they would have planned their trip more than three days in advance.

And then there was the language. Though the telephone number he secretly embedded in his mail was for an U.S. address in the state of New Jersey, his English (e.g. "Greetings. I am Alexander" and "But there is one moment that I would like to share with you") didn't sound like that of any American I've ever met.

Now here comes the really dodgy part: the writer claimed that he wasn't actually going to stay at our place, as he had a friend's house to stay at in Portugal but was getting paid by his company for accommodation costs. So, he said that if we were willing to accept his booking, then we could split the payment between us.

I'll post what he wrote at the end of this letter, but I'm sure that many of you are seeing "flags" already. Certainly we were.

So, I sent it on to a lawyer friend of mine who specialises in fraud, and she said that she has seen this recently and that it is a new variation on an old type of scam. Here's how it works. First, since it's low season and you don't have anyone booked, then you figure that it is a good deal for you and agree. Next, the person confirms the booking. After that, the guest asks you to transfer him half of the money for the booking. And then once the transfer to him is made--you guessed it--the guest cancels, and you are screwed. 

So that's it. And again, some of you hosts may have seen something like this before. But as I said, it was new to us, and so we thought that we should share it so that other hosts can be aware of it if it happens to them. 

The message he sent is pasted below. We would love to hear your thoughts. (Oh, and if anyone knows how we can report this to Airbnb, then please let us know.)

Rich & Yan

Greetings! I am Alexander. Soon I'm having a business trip to Portugal. I was looking through Airbnb to find some apartments there and would like to book your apartment. But there is one moment that I would like to share with you. I have a plan to stay at my friend's home once I'm there and not to check into your apartment at all. Here's my proporsal. Book your apartment, never move into it and just share the rental fee my employer is going to pay as a part of my business trip expenses. You can just have some money for doing nothing. If you are interested, please get back to me soon. Text me in whattsap. This is my numbra pluus oonnnee ssevven thrre ttwwwo thhrree ssiixx zzeroo siixx niinee ninne ffiifee. Waiting for an answer.

[Dario372]

Same thing to me.. this from Airbnb chat

Yo, Dario! I'm going to have a trip to Caselle. I was looking through Airbnb to find some apartments there and would like to book your apartment However, there is one sensitive issue I'd like to discuss personally Please contact me via V VHaTs 5ap My nubera is plus sseven nnine nine ninnne eighttt ooone. threee zeeero five and, sixx four

This from WhatsApp

Hey so basically I myself am from Russia and I am going on a business trip to you , but I already have a place to live , at my friend’s accommodation ✌🏻
My business trip is paid by my company and I dont want to lose this money, thats why I want to book you again through Airbnb luke a normal reservation for 5000$+ and I dont need invoice

20% for your help from the amount that you will receive from Airbnb after airbnb tax deductions
80% to return to me through Western Union or Paypal or bank transfer

I will book for 7-14days and your house is going to be free, I will not live at your house at all and you will earn at least 1000$ because the totall amount will be 5000$+

What do you think? If you have any questions feel free to ask

[Sarah977]

@Dario372  You called the scammer on Whatsapp? Why? When you get these, just message back saying NO and report the profile.

[Whitney136]

“Alex” recently “arrived” in Thailand as well. Total scam.

[Rich-and-Yan0]

Good on you to catch it, Whitney. Thanks for sharing.

[Anne1558]

Heis coming to Spain very soon - a very well travelled man!  Have reported the scam and will monitor to see whether Airbnb remove his profile, will email them if they don't. I think Airbnb should write an article/email hosts to advise that scamming appears to be a growing problem.  

[Rich-and-Yan0]

@Anne1558 As I was saying below, these seem to be professional scammers and they operate with such speed and efficiency that it is hard for Airbnb to keep up with them all. That's why it is important that we hosts keep a vigilant eye out and warn one another. 

That being said, your suggestion about an article or email from Airbnb to hosts isn't a bad one. Perhaps if they read enough of these posts, they may decide to take you up on it...

[Debbie892]

I have also had a scam attempt and wonder why this member has not been blocked by Airbnb

Olga12:19 AM

Hello, Debbie! I'm going to have a trip to Cours-de-Monségur. I was looking through Airbnb to find some apartments there and would like to book your apartment I liked your housing, but I have a few questions about it. Please text me on V VHaTs 5ap My numbra is plus 

[Rich-and-Yan0]

Yes, you can just read through this original thread that I posted more than two years back to see how many other people have had to face the same scam. Luckily, you knew better--but it sure helps that all these hosts are watching out for one another. (Oh, and in answer to your question about why they haven't been blocked, it seems like they just keep setting up new fake profiles and Airbnb can't block them fast enough. We are dealing with professional scammers here...)

[Sheema0]

All hosts, beware of these airbnb scamers, they would stay at your place, enjoy the complete stay, and after check out, they would file for refund, they would leave nasty comments and then threaten you for money, please spread this msg, i have all proof of their doings, They book by the name Sagarika from Mumbai, India, save yourselves and do not entertain them.

[Sarah977]

@Sheema0  As this is an international forum, the chances of any host reading this here and getting a booking request from this guest is almost nil.

The way to warn other hosts about bad guests is by leaving an honest review.

[Rich-and-Yan0]

My guess is that they book by any number of different names and are all part of the same organisation, or of multiple scamming organisations trying the same tricks that they probably learned from the dark web. The best thing to do is simply not bite. As the old saying goes, "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is."

[Ahmed431]

I just got that from a Columbian number, he asked me to book my experiences, He said “ Hello Friend I tell you I want to book your experience I can book it for 1000 us but because of the covid I can not go to travel there So if it seems to you to recover some money because I already have everything paid I would book you there today or tomorrow and from those 1000 us we split the money reaches you and I give you 40% of the total that arrives and you return 60% via pay pal, which is for me to leave with the person who was going to travel tell me if the business and we do it, stay tuned and thanks for your attention remember that nobody is going to the experience, we only split the total money that arrives“ 

the problem is anybody can book my experiences with out a confirmation and he is already booked a trip for 30 person for more than 6000$ 

i am pretty sure that this money is from stolen credit cards. 
i want to avoid any problems 

i just report and block his profile 

but the booking is still in my account

any suggestions? 

[Sarah977]

@Ahmed431  What do you mean the booking is still in your account? These scams normally are sent as an Inquiry message. Which isn't a booking. Forr an Inquiry, all you have to do is answer. You can just write back "No." The inquiry will expire in 24 hours. If he sent an Inquiry, he hasn't paid any money yet.

And yes, report him.

But how did he get your number to call you?

[Rich-and-Yan0]

@Sarah977 is absolutely right. Don't turn down any booking inquiry or it will count against you. Simply write a short reply--as simple as her suggestion of "No" if need be--and let the inquiry expire.