Long term rental safety concern (scam?)

[Alexandra671]

Hello everyone,

I am dealing with a weird situation regarding the long-term rental of a flat in Italy. I think other people have encountered this before, but I just want to share my experience to get some advice.

I am looking for a flat to rent in Italy for myself and my boyfriend and so far have been using idealista- an Italian website for property adverts, to message potential landlords and arrange viewings. Yesterday I received an email, directly to my email address and not in response to any message I sent through idealista, which is the first red flag. This person attached some pictures of an admittedly nice flat and claims to have lived in Italy but moved back home to France and decided to rent their flat here and say it is possible to do so through AirBnB. They also mention not being able to travel easily to Italy due to having a young family. When I asked for some clarificaiton, this was their response:

"

The apartment is not online yet. I will need your confirmation that you can make the booking and payment.  The apartment has 2 separate bedrooms + the kitchen with living room. It comes fully fitted. It also has a washing machine with dryer and a dish washer. 

You can buy the tv's or anything is missing and i will discount it from the monthy rent.

Let me explain you the process on Airbnb long rentals step by step for a better understanding:

- I will put the apartment on Airbnb for €500 per month (we can make the contract from two months to 10 years).
- You will have to pay 3 months (€1.500) to Airbnb in order to confirm your reservation. This 3 months covers first month rent + 2 months security deposit. You will receive the security deposit back at the end of contract.
- After you completed the online reservation on Airbnb your deposit will be in their secure system.

You can not check the apartment before making the booking and payment, since I'm not in Italy. Once you confirm the payment for Airbnb, they will send an agent to meet you and show the apartment. If you decide to take it, i'll come personally to meet and help you.

In case there is something that you do not like after you see the apartment, the agent will refund you all your money back; but I assure you that the property is very beautiful and clean;

You can read about your refund policy here *link to AirBnB that I removed*

If you understand and agree the process and you are able to make the booking and payment, please let me know and i'll send you the listing.
 
Thanks for understanding"

The fact that I can't see the flat before paying money and "AirBnB agents" are the most fishy things. 

Can someone confirm this is not how AirBnB operates? Also, is there any way to report this scam?

Thanks!

[Roberta2]

Hi @Alexandra671

This is a scam

Run!

There are no Airbnb agents.

Everything happen via the platform.

The links should be www.airbnb.com - nothing before or after the word airbnb...

If you wish to look for a long term placement on airbnb, use the correct platform, many hosts allow it (I just had a 89 nights guest, for example).

Good luck

[Elena87]

@Alexandra671

This is an often encountered scam and you can read more about it in this link below ;

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

It's nothing to do with airbnb as it's only mentioned to try to give the scam a sheen of credibility, or a look-a-like web page that isn't official is presented.

Always the scam asks for money to be wired. You can report the given account information to the bank used or report the email address to the provider to disrupt the operation but generally it is whack-a-mole stuff.