Rental Scam! Red Flags and How to Avoid.

[Charlotte285]

*The reason why I started a new coversation regarding rental scams is because "the owner" I contacted sounded legit and seemed to know Airbnb long-term rental rules. Different from other scamming stories I read online, he did not ask me to transfer money outside of Airbnb (at least not yet). Instead, he indicated that everything, including the payment and the rental contract, will go through Airbnb. However, he still raised lots of red flags (details down below). After contacting Airbnb Customer Support, they confirmed that the emails were sent by an unauthorized party.*

*From what I know and hear, Airbnb DOES NOT have local agents to help handling the rental matters.*

*Check the website URLs. Should be under "www.airbnb.com". Otherwise are fake.*
*If you are in doubt, contact Airbnb Customer Support before taking any actions (including clicking links in the emails if any).*  

For the past few weeks, I have been searching for an apartment to rent in Miami. I found this too-good-to-be-true listing on both rental website (Zumper) and advertisement on Facebook Marketplace. For those who don't have much idea about Miami rental price: normally a 1 bed/1 bath apartment cost around $1,200+ just the place itself. This listing offers $1,000 only for a 2bed/2bath townhouse including all utilities (water, electricity, internet etc.). Out of curiosity, I made contact through Facebook message. It was later on directed to Zumper for "the owner" to contact me via email. At first he sounded cool (tho explained a little too much), but soon rasied lots of red flags once he mentioned Airbnb. 

1. No listing post available on Airbnb site.
2. Described Airbnb as "the biggest international website dealing specifically in rental properties." 
3. Ask for information in order to "provide Airbnb with your details."
   (Never heard hosts booking for renters on Airbnb. Should be the other way round!)
4. Only allows potential tenants to check on the property after paying full amount deposit (in my case $1,000).
   (Mentioned refund but do not trust them! Why don't you allow people to book one day stay with a discounted price (or even in full) to check on the property?) 
5. "The property looks like in the pictures."

Other detials I found weird:

- Almost exact wording as other Airbnb scams people shared online. "If you decide to proceed with this transaction, ..."

- Keep mentioning Madrid/Spain. Okay, I get it. You live in Madrid/Spain. 

- Interesting timing. He sent me emails at 6:58pm, 10:05pm, and 10:43am EST. I did a little math, it should be 12:58am, 4:05am, and 4:43pm Madrid/Spain time. Sounded like a hardworking person who is very eager to rent out his property in Miami/USA.

Following are the emails:

#1
Hello,
My name is Miguel Rufino Garcia and I am the owner of the property I am happy to let you know that it is still available for long or short term rental. I bought this property for my daughter during her studies in the US, but now she is back home in Spain, so I'm renting the place for unlimited time (obviously preferable for long periods).
The property looks like in the pictures. The utilities (cold/hot water, electricity, wireless broadband Internet, digital TV, 1 parking spot, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, etc.) are INCLUDED in the price of $1,000 per month. One month deposit of $1,000 is also requested and fully refundable once you decide to leave the apartment (with a 30 days notice before). As from my side, I will never ask you to leave the apartment because my daughter is permanently living here in Madrid/Spain, so we won't disturb you.
Before we proceed I would like to know a little something about you, like how many persons you intend to live in the property, and for how long.
All the best from Spain,
Miguel

#2
Hi again,
Everything sounds good, but as I said, I live in Madrid/Spain and unfortunately i cant be present to deal in person. I can arrange to rent the apartment from Spain through AIRBNB, which is the biggest international website dealing specifically in rentals properties.
I hope you are familiar with Airbnb, but if not i'll explain you how it works..
If you decide to proceed with this transaction, I will need your phone number along with your full name, the date when you want to enter in the apartment, how many people would live there and for how long.. Then I will start the process through Airbnb here in Spain, providing them with your details. Next you will receive a notification message with all the instructions that you need to follow in order to complete the process and receive the keys with the rental contract.
This is the only way i can proceed, so hopefully you will find it ok in order to secure the apt in your favor...
Let me know,
Miguel

#3
Hello again,
At this moment i dont have it listed on Airbnb, but if you are interested, Airbnb will send you a notification and you can see the listing with pictures and description on Airbnb website. Also on the notification, you will receive the steps on how you need to proceed in order to book the apartment. Everything will be thru them, including the payment and sign of the rental contract. Once you confirm the booking with Airbnb, an agent from them will show you the apartment. However, they will ask you to pay them the security deposit in amount of $1,000 before that. They will hold your funds and they wont release anything to me until you have checked the apartment, you decide to rent it and we sign the rental contract. At any time, you can request for a refund if you are not happy with the apartment.
Please send me your full name, phone number, the date when you want to enter in the apartment, how many people would live there and for how long.
Looking forward to receive your email.

[Miranda130]

To anyone in Brussels, here is a copy of an email from a busy ‘landlord’ in Brussels, emailing a couple of times today, Sunday, 28.4.2019: 

“Hello, 

I understand you that you want to view the apartment but the transaction and payment is through Airbnb platform , you can see more information to https://www.airbnb.com/plus .

You will see the apartment after you will confirm your reservation , then the agent AirBnB will contact you in 24-48 hours to view the apartment. You will receive the payment back If you not like the apartment but I am sure that you will be happy after you will move in the apartment .

Agent of Airbnb check the apartment before and everything is OK , the apartment is like on the photos .

For start the procedures through Airbnb platform I need exact :

. When would you like to move in(exact date):

. Period of the contract:

. Adults:

. Children:

. Name:

. Address:

. City:

. Zip code:

. Country:

. Cell phone number: 

. A copy of your ID,passport or driving license by email ( scan or photo) and a picture of you.

Once I get your details, I will contact Airbnb with them to start the procedures and I will give you the link with my listing on their website. There you can book my apartment.

After you will complete the Booking , you will meet with the agent in less than 48 hours to inspect the apartment.

Thank you ,  

Talia Blinder

[Jiorgos0]

One more scam !!!!

 I do understand very well that you would like to inspect my property upfront, but you also need to understand my concerns. My property is furnished, accessorized, but no one is living there at the moment.  I cannot just provide my address to anyone.  It's a risk...someone can broke into the house knowing that no one lives there.   I'm sure that you understand my concerns too.    That's why I want to handle the transaction safely for both of us through Airbnb.  They will offer protection to both of us.  They will release me the funds only after you check in.  If you won't check-in it's obvious that they will refund you the money immediately. You will have the funds back to your account in maximum 24 hours. This is how Airbnb works and that's why they are so appreciated.
 Please think better about it and let me know your decision.
 
 Kind Regards,
 Alexander Larsson

[Ádám10]

Hey everyone! The same thing happened to me when I was looking for a long-term apartment in Amsterdam. The scammer used the name Julia Bohnke with the e-mail BOHNKE.july (AT) protonmail.com. 

It looked too good to be true...

[John2683]

SCAM ALERT !!!  1103 Laurel Blvd Lanoka Harbor NJ 08734  is in forclosure and the sheriffs office will be taking the property any day now !! Yet Ann Shoshkes is a  CON ARTIST !!!!!!  TAKING PEOPLES MONEY !!  

[Jordan315]

Do properties get rented like this though or are they all scams?

[Zeynep12]

Hi everbody, 

I lived a similar scam situation next mount. The fake account holder name is Pablo Gomez Rivas and he sent me this e-mail. After that he resistance to rent on Airbnb. After that, I start to rental process but he sends to me strange document which is included Michal Hanzal who claimed as Airbnb manager.  Please, protect yourself these types of people. 

Hello,

Yes, it's available. Please let me know for how many people?

It's come fully furnished and with all the necessary amenities, exactly as you've seen in the photos, with dishwasher, washing machine, air conditioning, tv and internet. The monthly price is for the whole flat including all the utility bills. The pets are accepted.

I'm looking for a serious and responsible person to care, keep the house clean and see it as his own home. It would be great if you can send me some personal information about you (age, employment, life style, etc)?

I prefer to rent it through Airbnb, instead of Uniplaces, because of the lower fees they will charge me, I'm a "Superhost" on Airbnb. Also they will handle the entire rental process without any expense for you.

You'll have to pay one month of rent plus two months of security deposit.

The security deposit will be returned to you at the end of the contract if the apartment will have no damages.

If you are interested I'll send you the step by step procedure.

Can I have your WhatsApp number please?

Thank you!

[Silvana320]

I can confirm. He hacked an agency and replied instead of them. At first, because I read it quickly, I had no clear all the steps and I replied; but after a final reading, I have realised that he wanted to be paid before seeing the place (?) that made me suspicious together with the fact that I know the rent rates in that area and that offer was ridiculously low. That happened in UK.

[Xue50]

 I was defrauded by this person when I was looking for an apartment in oxford, UK.

[Pardeep0]

can we disucss ? I also got scammed.

[Robin805]

Hi bro,

how did you solve it? Did you receive any money back?

[Hesho0]

no mate, im still trying to get my money back. 

[Hesho0]

what did you do?

[Pardeep0]

hey, can we get in touch ? i am also one of the victim 

[David6638]

Hi mate, I’m a recent victim too! I am trying to get my money back. Did you manage to get your money back? Or receive any compensation ?

thanks 

[Jess2589]

He's still at it, I was just emailing with him and I thought "hmm this seems a bit dodgy that he's asking for all my info so soon" and turns out, he's sent the exact same email to me! Thanks for this report.