How fast does Airbnb take down fraudulent listings?

[Andres152]

I've rented from Airbnb a bunch and 100% success.  The success has come because I've typically only stayed in well-reviewed properties.     However, for an upcoming trip to Rome, I decided to take a risk on a brand new property with zero reviews.   The only reason I took the risk is because the landlord did have 4 other good reviews on another property (I should have know, the other property is for a room at $39 a night while mine was for a property renting for over $250 a night).   

So, making the booking requests, the landlord contacted me about 15 hours later asking me to contact her directly to discuss "details" about the listing.    Immediatley I knew it was a scam -- no landlord has ever made that request.   

So, did a search of the property's pictures and found out that it was not a property being rented in Rome.  Instead, it's a beautiful property for sale in Barcelona (for 850,000 Euros).   

I reported the listing, the landlord and message to Airbnb.    I don't want someone less familiar with Airbnb to get scammed.   

How long does it take before Airbnb typically takes down the listing?

[Marzena4 · Accepted solution]

Saturday night in Europe, @Andres152. Still Saturday in the US. Hard to say, sometimes a listing disappears within an hour or two, sometimes a day or two.

[Andres152]

Now that I see it's okay to post the listing, here's the fake listing:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21602177

Here's the real listing for sale in Barcelona:

http://www.sepfinques.com/vivienda/el-raval/piso_en_barcelona_5681436.3373.html#f

[Andres152]

Well, Airbnb answered my question for me.   They took it down within 1 hour or me flagging the property.  Nice!

So, the Airbnb link above will no longer work.   However, the lovely apartment for sale in Barcelona should still works!

[Marzena4]

So great, @Andres152, you reported it. There are more and more scams appearing, so Airbnb CS are on the watchout to prevent guests from losing money.

[Andres152]

Thank you.

As I mentioned earlier, Airbnb took down the fake listing within 1 hour.   Today, I checked and they wiped out the scammer's user account.  So, Airbnb is clearly on top of trying to get the scammers off their site.

Just for fun, I'm playing along with the scam via email.    Today, I got an email asking if I used " WhatsApp" so they could contact me there.   I said no.    

They responsed with the following:

"Ok , No worries.   Ok ... we are going to offer you a discount so the price for your requested period would be 600 eur.  Are you aware that there is a 1500 eur refundable deposit which you will get back at the end of your stay, right?  So .. you will have to transfer the  total amount of 2100 eur into Airbnb's bank account and you will get back the 1500 eur security deposit at the end of your stay. Please let me know.  Thanks."

I wonder how they were planning on scamming me via the WhatsApp app?      Why not just continue with the email.

[Doris124]

I am a new host who is highly disappointed in your support for hosts, security and customer service.

I have spent so much money calling all your customer service: Neil, Angela, Brad so many of them. Why will I have to keep repeating my issue when someone out there is using my pictures for their listing. The worst part is Airbnb is encouraging it by posting it up on Instagram for other to see.
Why would you be okay with this? why?
Honestly I thought security was good but i hear it a lot down here that people use other people's picture and by the time a guest gets there that is not what they will be expecting. Some guests do not take it up because they claim Airbnb doesn't help.
I am experiencing it now. Its not fair!!!
Absolutely not fair! 
If Airbnb is not willing to stop these fraudulent activities maybe i should just de-list!
How is it possible that my listing will be showing on Airbnb page even after I have snoozed my account. 
I have sent an email, twice with no response except "your mail has not been received" I have called what else do you want me to do!
Frustrated and angry host

I sent the above msg after i spotted someone using my pictures... guess what airbnb did, they closed my case. Airbnb is obviously encouraging these fake accounts