Possible Large-Scale Scam on Airbnb – Multiple Fake Accounts and Stolen Hotel Listings

[Jurirat-Team0]

Hi Airbnb community,

I recently came across what I believe is a major scam operation on the platform and wanted to share the details to get your thoughts.

There’s an account—actually, multiple accounts (at least 4 or more) under the same name. The profile picture and identity appear to be either stolen from a real person or generated by AI. The host presents as a woman, but based on my investigation, the real person behind it is likely male and operating under a false identity.

This person has hundreds, if not thousands, of listings—mostly hotel rooms. I personally called several of the hotels listed, and they all confirmed that they do not have Airbnb listings and have no idea who this host is.

Here’s what seems to be happening: the scammer lists hotel rooms at double the actual price. For example, if a hotel normally charges 1,000 THB, the Airbnb listing shows it at 2,000 THB. Once someone books through Airbnb, the scammer turns around and books the hotel on another platform, pocketing the difference.

The most baffling part? All of the listings are for real hotel rooms, but the host doesn’t own or manage any of them. The hotels themselves confirmed they have no connection to this person, yet the listings are still live. Even after guests posted reviews calling it out as a scam, Airbnb hasn’t taken any action. What’s more concerning is that the account shows “many years of hosting,” which gives it an added layer of credibility—possibly tricking even more guests into trusting it.

Here are two examples from guest reviews:

"Let's just get it out there, Z* isn't real 🤣 we met someone who helped us check in, definitely not Z***, then he got us on the phone with the owner, again he was not Z***. Seemed strange that the owner was hiding behind an AI photo of a girl and calling himself Z***.
Anyway, the place was pretty good! No complaints apart from the strange smells."**

"The reservation is made by a person who claims to be called Z*, but the hotel staff—who has worked there for over 10 years—didn’t know her and didn’t even know what Airbnb was. I’m pretty sure this person is an agent, listing properties they don’t own. Out of 341 listings, she didn’t own any of them. The only message I got from her came after the booking was confirmed. Everything else was just an automated reply. If something goes wrong or you need help, don’t expect a reply. Think twice before booking."**

My question is: How has this been allowed to continue on Airbnb?
Even with reviews pointing out the fraud, the listings are still up and running.

Would love to hear if anyone else has come across this or reported something similar.

Thanks,

[Elegant-Homes-Retreat0]

Hi @Jurirat-Team0,

Thank you so much for taking the time to investigate and share this. This definitely sounds like a serious issue and potentially a large-scale scam that puts both guests and the platform’s credibility at risk.

It’s deeply concerning that listings with such obvious red flags — fake identities, unauthorized listings, and guest reviews calling them out — are still live. Airbnb should be taking swift action in cases like this, especially when hotels themselves confirm they have no affiliation.

I would recommend the following:

Report each listing directly through the Airbnb platform using the “Report this listing” button — select the option for “suspicious or fraudulent activity.”

Contact Airbnb Safety Team through this page or via @AirbnbHelp on Twitter/X with a detailed explanation and examples.

Encourage hotels you’ve contacted to report the misuse of their properties — that can carry additional weight with Airbnb’s Trust & Safety team.

This isn’t just a matter of platform policy — it risks guests booking properties they don’t actually have access to and damages trust in genuine hosts and co-hosts.

Thanks again for raising this. Please keep us updated if you hear back from Airbnb or notice any changes.

[Caryl20]

Hi @Elegant-Homes-Retreat0 ,

Aside from Twitter/X, and the report button? Is there another alternative? Unfortunately,  “Report this listing” button — select the option for “suspicious or fraudulent activity.” is not an option, I tried. 

I am concerned because this company uses 47+ Airbnb accounts, all of which are of the same name or almost the same. Photos are obviously AI, and they change names at times. They use 47+ accounts for over 350 listings which is I think unfair for those with a single account. Any advice on how I can help with this matter?

Thank you, and looking forward to your response. 

[Joelle43]

Hello @Caryl20 

If you know of illegal listings on Airbnb, I would create a post of your own but not under the "community café " as I don't think that this is the most popular section here on the CC.  I would post under "support with your bookings" or "help with your business" as this will also hopefully grab the attention of the community managers as well as hosts and guests who are on the CC.

Have you heard of people being scammed and how do you know for sure they are acting under false accounts?  Airbnb is now opening up to hotels/motels and to people who are there to make big money out of short term lets so quite a departure from the mom and pop that Airbnb started out as😉

[Jurirat-Team0]

Reporting does not seem to help. It appears that Airbnb does not take these scams seriously enough. This person is still operating under a false identity stolen from someone on social media and has hundreds of hotel room listings that he does not own. The actual hotel owners do not know who he is. He lives in one country while listing properties across multiple countries. He lists rooms at double the hotel’s real price. For example, if a hotel room costs $30, he lists it for $60 and keeps the profit.

[Christine615]

I agree. Airbnb needs to do more to remove fake listing. My husband and I had to move to a hotel last minute when it became clear that a California host was listing a unit at one address then sending a different address shortly before we got on a plane.

I also reported several unauthorized listings in Kansas City.

There needs to be a team assigned to verify new listings (real people, not AI)

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Jurirat-Team0 

Maybe the host has a legal agreement with the hotel (like a travel agent or partner) they’re basically acting like a middleman or reseller, similar to how travel agencies operate.

Not necessarily a scam but shady.

If Airbnb receives complaints from their guests, they will usually review the case and take appropriate action depending on the severity and supporting evidence. 

Since you’re already looking into this host how are their reviews? 

[Jurirat-Team0]

That is not the case. None of the hotels know this person.

[Jurirat-Team0]

You said they review these cases, but that does not seem to be true. There have already been plenty of reports and reviews, yet the account is still active.

[Helen427]

Definitely not an agreement with a hotel in Thailand @Patricia2526 .

There's been known about scams of Condominiums used unlawfully for Airbnb in Thailand where there's strict laws about letting properties for short term use.

It has been reported in the media in Thailand and ABB also put out a Media Release re AI images been used of other people's listings and properties that were not listed on ABB by there lawful occupants / owners.

@Jurirat-Team0 has raised a very serious and complex issue.

I do wonder however if because of Legal Due Processes that the listings are still showing on ABB platform.

There's also Online platforms like Google and other search engines that too should be doing there bit in the background as anyone can be tracked using the relevant skill set.

The reality is what is allowed to happen is Wire fraud crime.

As some of us said 25 years ago, there would be huge problems with the internet and failure of application of Legislation.

@Quincy 

@Brian 

@Emilie 

Would you please follow up on this as it's also ABB Reputational damage to all involved.

[Joan2709]

@Jurirat-Team0 

How did you come across this scenario? Were you booking a stay for yourself? Where are these hotels located?

It looks like you are posting under 2 different profile names:

@Jurirat-Team0 

@Caryl20 

[Jurirat-Team0]

Joan, Caryl is a different person, but the situation is very similar. I came across this because this person has an Airbnb listing on my street in South Asia and hires local people remotely to handle things. He seems to mix a few real Airbnb homes with a large number of hotel listings that he basically took without permission. The ratio may be something like 2 real listings to 350 or more fake rooms. He also has multiple accounts under the same name, all with the same AI profile picture across several tropical travel countries. Reading the reviews, many people have already called him a scammer, but nothing seems to change. I personally called around a dozen of the hotels listed on his account, and they confirmed that he is a scammer and does not have any Airbnb listings with them.

[Joan2709]

@Jurirat-Team0 

You can continue to use the "report this listin" feature and contacting Airbnb about the "scam", but it is up to Airbnb to address it. The guests being scammed would have the most influence I would think and can also report the listing.

Do you have listings in direct competition with this person?

You could try posting publicly on Airbnb's X/Twitter account about your concerns.

Not sure there is anything more to be done.