Refunding long-term reservation

[Anna1083]

Hi,

I have spoke with one women about rent apartment for long term (2 years) .

She wanted to do from airbnb because she is living in diffrent country and she can not travel now to Iceland where is the flat. 

It looks strange because I get an email from this address : <[email hidden for safety reasons]> where was wrote that I have to send payment by MoneyGram to Airbnb hosts Officer Payment called Veros Milios''

Message looks like that:

Your reservation is confirmedYou’re going to Reykjavík .  1 Bedroom Apartment 65m² in Reykjavík Iceland Entire home/apt owned by................Address ****
 * Note : The full address of the apartment ( Number and Floor )  will be disclosed as soon as your payment will be confirmed.
 

Customer Receipt

Confirmation Code: HRT(...)

Mon, January 29, 2018

Receipt # ****

2017-09-09 20:32:56 +0000

Owner address

****

2017-09-09 20:32:56 +0000

 

2017-09-09 20:32:56 +0000

Airbnb Hosts is one of the most important brands attracting thousands of rental agreements every month. In addition, our advanced technology allows us to market your property to tenants across our entire network of offices.

Payment Details

Send the payment (300000.00 ISK) by MoneyGram using the following Airbnb Hosts Representative account Details :

2017-09-09 20:32:56 +0000

  Airbnb Hosts Financial Officer Payment Account DetailsFirst Name  :            VEROSLast Name   :           MILIOSCity        :                 AthensCountry     :             Greece  Mr. VEROS MILIOS is our Airbnb Hosts Regional Financial Officer designed to handle your transaction and we will assume  responsibility  for the financial activities so any kind of fraud to be avoided. All deposits collected by Airbnb Hosts are secured with DPS  www.depositprotection.com
 

1 Month Rent+ Security Deposit

ISK300000,00

Airbnb Service Fee (includes VAT)

ISK0,00

Total

ISK300000.00

2017-09-09 20:32:56 +0000

Pay for the transfer with cash at a local MoneyGram agency. You can find an MoneyGram office visiting any bank/postal offices.

-The MoneyGram payment information that you need provide us is:

1. # Reference Number ( # 8 Digits Number) 

2. Sender full name

3. Sender full address

4. Receiver full name

5. Amount sent

Please attach us a picture of the original MoneyGram receipt as the proof of your payment.

*Send us the payment information to our Payment Airbnb Hosts email address:

                                            [email hidden for safety reasons]

* If the Tenant will decide to don't rent the apartment after inspection ( for any reasons) , the Airbnb Hosts agent who will deliver the package , 

will be able to provide a full refund ( full payment back). 

* If the Tenant decide to rent the apartment after inspection , is free to sign the rental contract and move in  .

Airbnb Hosts will provide full assistance during visit / inspection. These policies are designed to protect both providers and tenants in accordance with the cancellation policy. We take issues like this very seriously, and we hope you'll go on to have many positive experiences on Airbnb Hosts in the future. 

*** Once the transfer will be verified and Airbnb Hosts confirm the payment, we will start the shipping process. We will hold the funds until you send us your confirmation that you are satisfied with the Apartment and you will sign the contract . As soon as we receive your confirmation we will release payment to the Owner.

Customer support [email hidden for safety reasons]

Sent with ♥ from Airbnb

Airbnb Ireland, The Watermarque Building, South Lotts Rd,
Ringsend, Dublin 4, VAT Number: 9827384L

[Anna1083]

IS THAT REAL?

It not supposed to be made by main site airbnb? From here?

[Scott-and-Ingrid0]

Moneygram???? Where is the credit card payment option? How did you find this place and how can they contact you from their own email?? Fishy

[Anna1083]

It has paid attention to it especially ...

[Scott-and-Ingrid0]

I think they are just using AirBnB as a front for their scam, never use money transfer, always use credit card.

[Andrea9 · Accepted solution]

@Anna0This is a scam. Booking through Airbnb will ALWAYS deduct the money automatically through the account you linked to your profile! Don't do it! There is a clear warning pop up every time you request to book on the site to NOT pay directly to the host off the site. If you do it anyway, you won't have any recourse through Airbnb if you lose your money!

[Anna1083]

I was mailing just with this person. She said that she can not to meet with me to show me apartment because she is living outside of the country bla bla.. then she give me proposition to handle everything by airbnb. I have used that before for holiday then I have been agree and then I get that weird email.. I didn't send any money but I am so much dissapointed 😞 

she try to explain me that in Greece there is another airbnb host which is responsibilty just about long termal rent apartments.

[Jeff158]

SCAM, SCAM, SCAM, do not even reply to the e-mail, block them

[Anna1083]

Me too. She said that that airbnb host is using jus in Greece whwre she is living (but apartment is renting in Iceland) ..

[David126]

Sent with ♥ from Airbnb

I thought that was a nice touch.

[Elena87]

@Anna1083

You can find more information on this thread here

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

[Lizzie]

Hello @Anna1083,

You are wise to think that something is strange about this email. As other community members have mentioned here, Airbnb will never ask you to pay for anything outside of the site, through email or through a third-party booker. Please don't transfer the money as they have asked. 

To prevent this from happening to others you can also report this to Airbnb, by clicking the little flag on their Airbnb profile or listing. Here is a Help Center article that provides a little more information. 

I hope this is helpful.

Lizzie

[Dayana31]

He contactado con un anfitrión y para formalizar el pago me ha enviado un correo electrónico con éste URL airbnb.com.booking-flat.site/1/listing/81/view-3hsxwu1q/Wv_cqRF-8g#googtrans(en%7Ces)

Y no sé si es seguro. Por favor si alguien pudiese ayudarme