2 SCAMS & NO REFUNDS OR CONTACT FROM AIRBNB

[Denessa1]

My name is Denessa Ullibarri and I'm writing this to ask the community to give me advice.  

About a month ago, I found a venture apartment for a monthly cost of $750 , so I emailed host cause I was interested.  A couple days later, I had email from Host and they asked me if I was still interested n of course I was. Well after we  exchanged a few emails , the host sent me email with detailed instructions on what to do. Well....long story shortened, I sent this host $750.00 they BITCOIN... I didnt know it was full fledge scam. I questioned it myself and did a little bit of research(anything can be "validated" in internet) I sent money. Right away I contacted AIRBNB and they have only responded by sending email that they are investigating it . I have everything to prove that I was SCAMMED. What should I do to Get my money back?

Help me please....

Thank you, 

Denessa Ullibarri 

**

**[Personal information removed in line with - Community Center Guidelines]

[Sarah977]

@Denessa1  This has nothing to do with Airbnb. You answered an ad somewhere, emailed with this stranger, and sent them money. This is not how Airbnb works. When you book an Airbnb, you pay for it by uploading your credit card info to the Airbnb site, booking through the Airbnb site and Airbnb charges your credit card. 

I'm very sorry you got scammed, but there is nothing that Airbnb or anyone else can do about it. You sent money directly to some stranger (a con artist, not a host) you met online. The best you can do is report the fraud to the police.

[Helen3]

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/help/article/199/what-should-i-do-if-someone-asks-me-to-pay-outside-of-the-...

[Cormac0]

@Denessa1 

Airbnb does not accept Bitcoin! a rudimentary search on google would have explained this, Unless I'm completely out of touch, Bitcoin is very very rarely used for paying for goods or services at this point.

I would also like to echo what @Sarah977  has written.

Errata:

Apparently I'm out of touch Airbnb does accept Bitcoin using an intermediary system 

https://www.coinspeaker.com/booking-airbnb-bitcoin/#:~:text=Essentially%2C%20both%20Bitcoin%20paymen...

[Mark116]

@Denessa1   You were scammed, but there is nothing that Airbnb can do about it, you'd have to try to file a police report and/or sue the scammer if you can find him/her in court.  Bitcoin might complicate things there, I don't know.

[Katie]

Hi @Denessa1 

Thanks for getting involved and posting here in the CC, and I'm so sorry to hear you've had this experience. Just a heads up that I have also had to remove your email address from your post - the CC guidelines don't allow members to post personal details I'm afraid. 

In terms of your issue, unfortunately as this transaction took place outside of Airbnb it will make it much harder for the team to trace it, however you've done the right thing by getting in touch with them, as they can investigate the profile that was used.

In the meantime, I'd suggest that you follow the advice of others here and get in touch with the police to report it.