Is this a Scam???

Joseph619
Level 1
Leeds, United Kingdom

Is this a Scam???

I have been looking a property to rent on a site called gumtree, after enqurying about it, I got an email back saying the property was listed on Airbnb but when tryig to reserve it through the site it doesnt let me and i am now meant to wire to money across... this is where i started to doubt who i was speaking to as it didnt seem safe. It all seems very legit and he it a super host and i have google him and he seems real, but any thoughts would be great.. the link to his airbnb profile is below 

 

http://airbnb.co.uk.online-appartaments-long-term.com/1/profile/14/show-kt9wn7nu/h_6NqniVmQ

4 Replies 4
Julie143
Level 10
Princeton, NJ

Any host that is asking you to wire money off the Airbnb platform is a scam. It’s agains the ToS and you would have no protections from Airbnb.

 

edit: That URL doesn’t look legit

Gordon0
Level 10
London, United Kingdom

Run for the hills.

Like @Julie143 says, @Joseph619 - that url isn't legit. You'll note it has a full-stop after co.uk and the address continues before eventually getting to a dot com finale' (followed by an extension). 

If it smells like a fish...

Elena87
Level 10
СПБ, Russia

@Joseph619 

 

If you wire money you certainly will be up a gum tree.

 

One mammoth sized clue is in the (fake) hyperlink - ''apartments'' isn't even correctly spelled. Doh.

 

The hyperlink you've given is to a fake look-a-like site. Nowt to do with airbnb.

 

This is how the scam works;

1. bait is a great looking flat, low price, friendly chit-chat from the vendor

2. method; - scammer attempts to be credible; ''not in the country backstory'', lets use 'airbnb', link given that somewhat replicates airbnb but is absolutely bogus.

3. close; you wire money to the scammer, promised keys/flat doesn't/never existed.

 

Check on this discussion below for more detailed chat about this. In the meanwhile, pull up your pants and run away fast from this scammer.

 

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Help/Rental-scam-using-Airbnb-How-should-I-go-forward-if-at-all/...

Joseph619
Level 1
Leeds, United Kingdom

Thanks for your responses, I will be sure not to wire any money and let gumtree and airbnb know about this.

 

Thanks