Beware, Hosts are not always the Host

[Torin54]

My experience while visiting Siem Reap Cambodia where I booked a unit for 30 days through Airbnb. Host was not actual owner, only a third party working for a commission. I was mislead with given replies and actual instructions on my Airbnb agreement that the Host posts for the guest. Host simply wiped his hands of me and past me on via WhatsApp to the actual owner. When I questioned who was the actual host, the fake host became belligerent and threatened to evict me before I even arrived to the property. With that I asked to be released and a full refund as his tone was threatening and a safety concern. The fake host has no skin in the game and has no obligations to the guest. If you go to Airbnb for help and to get a refund; goodluck. They only work with the fake host and surely he is not going to help and loss the commission. I had to be relentless in my effort for refund through Airbnb as the true owner has zero relationship with Airbnb. The company knowingly allows this which removes safety levers for our protection as they contract with a fake host with no connection to the property and no incentive to help the guest as only in it for the commission. BEWARE of the fake host scam, you only want the true owner as the Host.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Torin54 This all seems a bit weird. Many many owners use co-hosts to manage their properties and it works fine. Airbnb will deal with any co-hosts or hosts that behave inapropriately.