@Robert5286
It is possible to purchase (from the dark side ) a look-a-like airbnb website with limited functionality.
That's how you can get fooled, certainly if you are only a casual site user, it's hard to spot.
The big giveaway is always in the url.
See more about this here;
https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Help/Beware-of-fake-Airbnb-websites-scam/td-p/731410
Once you stand back from it all, if you were going to book an airbnb advertised property it's best to go to the official site and expect to see the listing there.
Plus the mechanics of the scam rational is simple.
Bait is dangled - great property, ace price.
Plausible story - something along the lines of owner stays abroad.
Credibility - airbnb has nothing to do with it all and only mentioned for validity.
At the end of it, you are asked to wire substantial money to a stranger, which will be lost and probably you will be asked for more.
Thankfully, deep down you had some idea this scheme didn't pass the sniff test.
If you have the inclination, you have the scammers banking details , notify the bank to disrupt their operations.