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.

[Bart260]

Alex is still travelling, this time to Holland. 

“Hello Bart! My name is Alex. Soon I will be having a business trip to Flevoland.

I came across your listing and I was thinking to book your apartment. There is something about my booking that I would like to discuss with you.

I have decided actually not to stay in your apartment upon arrival, but to stay at my friend's house instead.

So what I'm offering. I would like my employer to pay the rental fee and get it back and never move in.

Does it sound like a plan to you?”

[Sarah977]

@Bart260  "Hi Alex, my "plan" is to report you to Airbnb as a scammer. In fact, I have already done so."

[Bart260]

Indeed I have 👌

[Gillian166]

---

@Sarah977 wrote:

@Bart260  "Hi Alex, my "plan" is to report you to Airbnb as a scammer. In fact, I have already done so."

---

haha, classic. 

also, be sure to say how great their English is. NEVER tell them that their dodgy English gives them away. I'm always astounded how these scammers can't find a native english speaker pos to help them get that part right. 

[Rich-and-Yan0]

@Bart260 Yes, it's amazing that they keep trying the same scam after so many others have already tried and failed. But who knows? Maybe some desperate host who is hurting for money will actually be gullible enough to fall for this.

[Rich-and-Yan0]

@Bart260 It's funny how much Alex gets around, lol. Usually these scammers switch up their names, but perhaps Alex has had some success with this moniker and has decided to keep it.

Anyway, good that you knew better and thanks for sharing your experience. This is exactly how all of us hosts can best stay protected. 

[Itana17]

Just got the same exact message, Alex name, another phone number.

[Rich-and-Yan0]

Not surprised, as it seems that this scam has been going on for awhile. That's why this community is so great: everybody has everybody's backs!

[Amy2137]

We have had a couple of people ask that their "company" pay with a check - and then as we try to verify this - it gets sketchy. They ask for more information, seem unreliable,  etc... has anyone encountered this? 

[Rich-and-Yan0]

@Amy2137 I haven't heard of that one yet, but it sounds like a variation of the same scamming theme that we have outlined above. 

[Robin4]

@Rich-and-Yan0 

Yeah Rich, you can't put an old head on young shoulders! Hosting knowledge comes with time and experience. This......'the company is paying for the reservation, I don't need to stay but I will split the company payout with you, just send me my half' scam has been around ever since I have been involved in short term renting.  I have got them and just laugh at them, I don't respond, I just report them and Airbnb blocks them!

@Amy2137 

Amy, guests know what is going on, Airbnb won't let them do a thing until they put a payment method in place. if a potential guest wants to talk to you about any form of payment, stop all contact with them immediately. They know the rules, you will be scammed!

The great thing about Airbnb is, we hosts don't have anything to do with the money side of things! Either the guest stumps up the payment to Airbnb and it becomes a confirmed reservation, or it drops off the system! Occasionally account verification gets in the way but that gets sorted out in a few hours.

As soon as guests start to hint about payment options, tell them you are not a good fit for their requirements and they should look elsewhere!

Airbnb will back you up, they do not like anyone else cutting their lunch!

Cheers........Rob

[Rich-and-Yan0]

@Robin4 Thanks for the detailed advice. I'm sure that that will be golden for fellow hosts but particularly for newer ones.

@Amy2137 I would just add one more piece of important advice to what Robin has said. When you do tell the guests that they are "not a good fit" for your property, make sure you do NOT reject the booking. Rather, just let the inquiry expire on its own. If you turn down the booking, then it will count against you in terms of the 'points' that Airbnb uses to determine who the Superhosts will be, and it may also affect your placement in the algorithm. So, when you play the game, be sure to play it carefully.

[Richard-and-Cyra0]

I received a similar scam offer. I reported the account to airbnb. Below are messages sent to me by the scammer:

Hello!
Thank you very much for answering me
I wrote to you because I am going on a business trip and I am interested in your apartment.
Are your apartments available?
All the expenses for my accommodation are paid by the company which I work for, I already have a place where I live and therefore I wanted to return part of the travel amount as a benefit to myself. Can we do like this?

I can book your accommodation through Airbnb at higher prices, you will take 20% of the amount to yourself, and you will return 80%
No one will actually live in the apartment
One reservation will be about $ 1000-3000
You will receive $ 200-600

Do you think this is possible?

If you agree we can work like this.
Do not change the Price per night
1. Please don't chane any price
2. I will make booking with your standart price, and later when you receive email from airbnb about payout, i will ask guest make additional payment for some "fake" service.
3. Please turn off weekly and monthly discount if you have such.
4. Open your calendar to the end of December
5. Put instant booking ON
6. We make a reservation and divide the profit after you get a payout from airbnb to your account.
7. Then we can make a new booking and so on

[Mike-And-Helen0]

@Rich-and-Yan0 sounds like a badly worded plan to defraud their employer.

You're well out of it.

[Rich-and-Yan0]

@Mike-And-Helen0 You're right, but my guess--and that of most other hosts who have replied, it seems--is that there was no actual employer to begin with, and that this was just an attempt to defraud us into sending him half of the payment that would never arrive. 

Either way, it's all bad news. Cheers.