Rental scam using Airbnb? How should I go forward, if at all?

[Elizabeth103]

I have been trying to find an apartment and found a listing on a popular rental website (not Airbnb). We started e-mailing, and the owner told me that he lives in Spain and will be using Airbnb's services for payment. It didn't seem strange until this last email. What bothers me about this is that it doesn't seem to follow any of Airbnb's practices. It also threw up other rental scam red flags, such as the fact that he wants me to pay before seeing the property, he's asking for my personal information outside the Airbnb platform, and the place doesn't come up on the Airbnb search list. Here is the portion of the most recent e-mail that I find odd, copy/pasted, edited for clarity:

"If you decide to proceed with this transaction, I will need your phone number along with your full name and address where you can be contacted for the keys and the rental contract. Then I will start the process through Airbnb here in Spain, providing them your information. Next you will receive a notification message from them, containing a receipt with all the instructions that you need to follow in order to complete the process and receive the keys and the rental contract.
Regarding the payment, you will get all the necessarily [sic] instructions on the invoice, so you can deposit the money for the first month along with the warranty, into an escrow bank account from AIRBNB. They will hold and insure your money until you check the apartment and decide if you want to rent it or not.
As soon as you will complete the deposit of $1,100 + $1,100 = $2,200 into their bank account, an agent from Airbnb will meet and show you the property. You will be given one day inspection period to take a decision and [in case you are not satisfied with the apartment], next day the total amount will be refunded to you by Airbnb. If you'll like the flat then you can keep the keys, sign the contract, and we will fix a date for the monthly payment, that it has to be done by you directly to my personal bank account."

There's a lot about the whole exchance that seems quite.... off. The more I think about it, the stranger it sounds. There is nothing on Airbnb about "escrow accounts," etc. It just smells terribly fishy, and I want to make certain that my eagerness and need for a place to go doesn't get me ensnared into some scammer's net. 

So, what are your thoughts on this? 

[Sarah977]

@Dorothy100   No one "here" is going to look into this. This is just a forum for hosts and guests to ask questions and help each other out. These scams are going on all over. The most appropriate thing to do is to report it to the fraud investigation division of the police.

[Urvashi1]

Thanks for sharing this.I am also in the same situation right now and it was good that I went through the posts and alerted myself.Similar email I had received while searching for the house in Sweden.The lady contacted me outside the housing agency and asked me to opt for air bnb as she stays in Greece.I have also received the confirmation with the invoice and was asked to deposit the money.

The email was very suspicious as it asked me to deposit the money to a person using money gram and was not in any company account.I immediately contacted the air bnb support and enquired about the reservation using the given ID and then found out that there was no such information.

Email was received from hosts center.

 It was good that I alerted myself and did not make mistake to get indulged in the scam.

[Bojan30]

This is happening to me right now. Ofc I'm not gonna pay, but it's so good offer  😄


Just for info, what is next that will happen if I send all these info? What is the full story behind these kinds of scams?

[Limana0]

 Hello,

I am looking for a place to rent in Münster, Germany and was contacted by this person. I am not sure what to make of it. 

The contract will start when you want and will be for how long you will decide!

The apartment pictures are attached!

 

You can rent the apartment for min. 2 months and max. 10 years but we can renew the contract. The apartment is fully furnished, but if you want, you can rent it unfurnished. The utilities costs are included.

As I told you in my first e-mail, I am  with my work right now. Before leaving Germany I had prearranged the deal with Airbnb Company so my presence isn’t necessary. The keys and all needed papers are in their possession, ready for delivery. You will have 3 days to inspect the the apartment before rent it. Airbnb will start the delivery for the keys and the contract to you, but first you must deposit the value of 1 rental months(500 EUR) plus + 1.000 EUR Kaution total is  (1.500 euro) in their account. So if you want to make this deal please login to the airbnb website, and after that please send me the following details:

Full name and address:

Shipping address:

Airbnb username:

ID or Passport Copy:

After I’ll receive your details I will forward them to Airbnb and I will proceed the order. Airbnb will contact you with all the details that you need, to complete this deal. Waiting your email with the requested details.

Best regards

[Elena87]

@Limana0

Not sure what to make of it? Have a read through the first 30 pages of this thread!

It's an old fashioned bait and hook scam - you have more chance of meeting Hermann Münster.

[Ondřej7]

Hi guys, how are you.

I would love to add my exp. This one happened to me in Czech Republic. I just came from UK and I am looking for flat in Prague. And I found adwert from Sergey Ivcenko and he tried to rip me off. But got used to it in London but wasnt sure how does it work with airbnb, was something new with managing flats thru airbnb and I found help here. And was the same scenario like here below.

Here is that mail:

Hi again,


Since I cannot meet you personally, I need some details about you:

1) First and last name:
2) Preferred fixed term length:
3) Preferred commencement date of tenancy:
4) The total number of occupants:
5) Contact number:
6) Your profession:

The keys and the documents are already in the custody of Airbnb.
I require 2-months rent + 1 month deposit ( the deposit you will receive back at the end of the contract ), with no extra taxes to pay.
After the payment is confirmed, Airbnb will deliver the keys and the papers to your address, and you will meet with an Airbnb agent to visit the apartment. If for any reasons you change your mind and decide not to rent my apartment anymore, Airbnb will refund you the money with no extra taxes to pay on the same day.

This is their rules, it can not be otherwise.
Thank you for your understanding and I am happy to know you as the new tenant.

-- 
Best regards,
Ivčenko Sergey

So yeah...Be Carefull and big thanks

Regards

Ondřej

[Laura2332]

I encountered this today on the Spanish website Milanuncios (region: A Coruña). They are still using this scam! They had me email this email address: delaraman1973@gmail.com

and then responded with this one:  projektleder@pdk-elektroteknik.ga

I did not fall for the scam but had a fun back-and-forth with them and have confirmed that it definitely is a scam. They are using some of the same wording as in some other peoples' posts! 

I've reported all the posts as scams, so hopefully they'll be taken down soon and noone will fall for them. 

[Marcelle35]

I just received the same kind of message (outside airbnb) from a landlord from German who is renting her apartment in Lisbon . Definetly this is not to trust.

Here is what the person send me:

Hi again,

  Sorry for my long message but please read carefully all the steps. To can complete this deal we will use the biggest estate agency from world, Airbnb (www.airbnb.com)

 I chose this option because, we would like to tell you what we happened last month, a bad story. We were in Portugal last month because we had to meet a family who wanted to rent the apartment but when we arrived there, this family never answered the phone. As you can imagine we lost a lot of money (flight ticket, taxi...etc...). 

 In next words I will explain you how works Airbnb (www.airbnb.com/trust) . They will provide assistance in handling the payment and schedule the visit of the apartment. With this procedure you will be able to check the apartment before I receive the money.

1. ( YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE AN ACCOUNT FOR LONG-TERM RENTAL)

To can an register the transaction with Airbnb i need your: 

- your full name and full address ( address , city , zip code , country ) ;

- a copy of your ID (identity card ) ( Airbnb need to verify your details )

- your phone # (a valid mobile number where Airbnb can contact you)

- whatsapp for a faster communication;

- the date from when you want to move there

- how many persons will live there

 No matter if you already have an airbnb user, you must send me your full informations to be able to start the rental process.

2. I will publish the property on Airbnb and the Airbnb will send you a SMS with the private link to book the apartment.

3. To can book it they will ask for the first 3 rental months. The next payment is after these 3 months. I will not come back in Portugal in the next 5 years, so you can live there without problems.

4. The payment is just a formality and it won't obligate you to rent the apartment, it is a safety deposit, just to be sure that this is not a joke and i don't pay the Airbnb fees for nothing . And in this way will be sure for both, because the money will remain in the Airbnb's custody until you will visit the apartment, and only after this, if you like the apartment and sign the contract, i will receive the money.

  The Airbnb doesn't working with cash so the agent will be able to call you to schedule the visit only after the airbnb will confirm your booking. If you sign the contract when you visit it, you can start to live there in the same moment.

5. The Airbnb will confirm the payment and an agent will contact you to schedule the visit of the apartment.

6. After this you will go with this agent to see the apartment, and if everything will be ok you will sign the contract .

7. If something will be wrong, and you don't want to rent the apartment, the Airbnb agent will give you all your money back and i will receive the keys.

Let me know if everything is clear ?

Thank you

[Daniel2136]

Hey Marcelle,

is your "contact" also Patricia Ricardo Luis <contact@patriciarluis.com?  I'm just preparing my e-mail bomb to them.:-)

It's actually quite funny if it would not be so annoying time wasting. 😉

Cheers!

Daniel

[Rafael518]

Exactly the same scam email here in Porto!

[현희0]

Exactly the same scam email again here in Porto!

This is the first time I've got this email, and I feel like I'm a fraud.
When I searched email patriciariicardolluis@gmail.com on Google, I found it a fraud.

2019년 1월 27일 (일) 오전 12:29, Patricia Ricardo Luis  patriciariicardolluis@gmail.com 님이 작성

Hi again,

   Sorry for my long message but please read carefully all the steps. To can complete this deal we will use the biggest estate agency from world, Airbnb.
  I chose this option because, we would like to tell you what we happened last month, a bad story. We were in Portugal last month because we had to meet a family who wanted to rent the apartment but when we arrived there, this family never answered the phone. As you can imagine we lost a lot of money (flight ticket, taxi...etc...).
  In next words I will explain you how works Airbnb. They will provide assistance in handling the payment and schedule the visit of the apartment. With this procedure you will be able to check the apartment before I receive the money.

 1. ( YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE AN ACCOUNT FOR LONG-TERM RENTAL)
 To can an register the transaction with Airbnb i need your:
 - your full name and full address ( address , city , zip code , country ) ;
 - a copy of your ID (identity card ) ( Airbnb need to verify your details )
 - your phone # (a valid mobile number where Airbnb can contact you)
 - whatsapp for a faster communication;
 - the date from when you want to move there
 - how many persons will live there
  No matter if you already have an airbnb user, you must send me your full informations to be able to start the rental process.

 2. I will publish the property on Airbnb and the Airbnb will send you a SMS with the private link to book the apartment.

 3. To can book it they will ask for the first 3 rental months. The next payment is after these 3 months. I will not come back in Portugal in the next 5 years, so you can live there without problems.

 4. The payment is just a formality and it won't obligate you to rent the apartment, it is a safety deposit, just to be sure that this is not a joke and i don't pay the Airbnb fees for nothing . And in this way will be sure for both, because the money will remain in the Airbnb's custody until you will visit the apartment, and only after this, if you like the apartment and sign the contract, i will receive the money.
   The Airbnb doesn't working with cash so the agent will be able to call you to schedule the visit only after the airbnb will confirm your booking. If you sign the contract when you visit it, you can start to live there in the same moment.

5. The Airbnb will confirm the payment and an agent will contact you to schedule the visit of the apartment.

6. After this you will go with this agent to see the apartment, and if everything will be ok you will sign the contract .

7. If something will be wrong, and you don't want to rent the apartment, the Airbnb agent will give you all your money back and i will receive the keys.


Let me know if everything is clear ?
Thank you

[Ricardo689]

Hi, recently I've been reached by those guys. I was looking to rent an apartment at Lisbon. Luckly I've found this post before. They have used these e-mail addresses to contact me:

# pattrriciaricardoluis@gmail.com

# kontakt@patriciaricardoluis.net

Here is the e-mail text that they sended to me: 

"Hi again,


   Sorry for my long message but please read carefully all the steps. To can complete this deal we will use the biggest estate agency from world, Airbnb.
  I chose this option because, we would like to tell you what we happened last month, a bad story. We were in Portugal last month because we had to meet a family who wanted to rent the apartment but when we arrived there, this family never answered the phone. As you can imagine we lost a lot of money (flight ticket, taxi...etc...).
  In next words I will explain you how works Airbnb. They will provide assistance in handling the payment and schedule the visit of the apartment. With this procedure you will be able to check the apartment before I receive the money.

 1. ( YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE AN ACCOUNT FOR LONG-TERM RENTAL)
 To can an register the transaction with Airbnb i need your:
 - your full name and full address ( address , city , zip code , country ) ;
 - a copy of your ID (identity card ) ( Airbnb need to verify your details )
 - your phone # (a valid mobile number where Airbnb can contact you)
 - whatsapp for a faster communication;
 - the date from when you want to move there
 - how many persons will live there
  No matter if you already have an airbnb user, you must send me your full informations to be able to start the rental process.

 2. I will publish the property on Airbnb and the Airbnb will send you a SMS with the private link to book the apartment.

 3. To can book it they will ask for the first 3 rental months. The next payment is after these 3 months. I will not come back in Portugal in the next 5 years, so you can live there without problems.

 4. The payment is just a formality and it won't obligate you to rent the apartment, it is a safety deposit, just to be sure that this is not a joke and i don't pay the Airbnb fees for nothing . And in this way will be sure for both, because the money will remain in the Airbnb's custody until you will visit the apartment, and only after this, if you like the apartment and sign the contract, i will receive the money.
   The Airbnb doesn't working with cash so the agent will be able to call you to schedule the visit only after the airbnb will confirm your booking. If you sign the contract when you visit it, you can start to live there in the same moment.

5. The Airbnb will confirm the payment and an agent will contact you to schedule the visit of the apartment.

6. After this you will go with this agent to see the apartment, and if everything will be ok you will sign the contract .

7. If something will be wrong, and you don't want to rent the apartment, the Airbnb agent will give you all your money back and i will receive the keys.




Let me know if everything is clear ?
Thank you"

--------------------------

Pay attention that the text is very similar. Be aware and be safe!!!

Cheers.

[Danny219]

I received a similar email via a contact made on spareroom.com, also asking to handle payment via AirBnB.

The email:

As I mentioned, Airbnb will handle the rental process on our behalf.
The first step (Starting the process):
I will put the ad onlicne on Airbnb and send you a booking request, for this i need your full name and email address.
Step two (Reservation):
Airbnb will require from you a security deposit of 2 months to confirm reservation ( 1st month rent + 1 month security deposit which is fully refundable in case you don't like the apartment ). Once you confirm reservation I will immediately book my next flight and organize the walk-through.
The security deposit will play as holding fee as well and will be refunded immediately with no questions asked if you don't like the place or once the contract will end if you decide to rent. ( But only if the apartment is not vandalized or something). A 30 days advance notice is required in case you need to leave early.
If you are satisfied with the apartment all you have to do is to provide a valid ID and sign the lease agreement. After you move in, the monthly payment will be sent directly to my bank account or you can continue paying through Airbnb.
If you find it acceptable please provide the requested details and I will submit your application right away. I will send the Airbnb reservation offer to your email and you can take it from there.

Very important !! Your reservation deposit will stay with them until we inspect the flat and make a decision. Please reply only if you fully understand the process as I have been disappointed lately with unserious persons when it comes to reserving. Please remember that I'll have to pay transaction fees and just in case you change your mind I will not receive a refund from them!

On top of that, the flat looked really nice and way under the going rate. AirBnB is obviously not at fault for its misuse by criminals, but they should play a proactive part by warning users.

[Vassileios0]

Same thing from me trying to rent an apartment in Stuttgart...

In English says the exact same things more or less. The most suspicious thing is the 'sharing' process... where they try to convince you for trh reasons they cannot contact with you directly... A sad romantic story about someone moving away to find their dreams and their new lives... To be honest this is what should ring bells to anyone AT MOST!!! 

So I Conclude... The steps of fraud

Step 1: the romance

Step 2: the Airbnb intermediate

Step 3: the personal info

Step 4: the Payment 

Guten Tag,
 
Vielen Dank für Ihre Antwort. Wie bereits erwähnt, übernimmt Airbnb den Mietprozess in unserem Auftrag.
Der erste Schritt (Start des Prozesses):
Ich werde mich mit der Agentur Airbnb in Verbindung setzen und ihnen alle notwendigen Informationen zur Verfügung stellen, damit sie den Mietvorgang
beginnen können. Dazu benötige ich Ihren vollständigen Namen, Adresse, Ort, Postleitzahl, Land, die Mietzeit mit genauem Einzugstermin, wie viele
Personen dort wohnen, Ihre E-Mail, Ihre Telefonnummer und eine Kopie Ihres Personalausweises oder Reisepasses damit wir den Mietprozess einleiten können.
Schritt zwei (Reservierung):
Airbnb verlangt von Ihnen eine Sicherheitskaution von 1 Monat zur Bestätigung der Reservierung (die vollständig zurückerstattet wird, falls Ihnen das
Apartment nicht gefällt). Sobald Sie die Reservierung bestätigen, werde ich sofort meinen nächsten Flug buchen und eine Besichtigung organisieren. Wenn
Sie in Eile sind, um einzuziehen, könnte ich Ihnen die Schlüssel mit DHL an eine von Ihnen genannte Adresse schicken. Ich hoffe Sie haben dafür
Verständnis, dass ich keinen Flug buche oder Schlüssel senden werde, bevor Sie die Kaution bei Airbnb bezahlen und die Reservierung bestätigen!
Die Kaution dient als Holding Fee und wird sofort zurückerstattet. Es werden keine Fragen gestellt, wenn Sie die Wohnung nicht mögen oder wenn der
Vertrag endet, falls Sie sich entschließen die Wohnung zu mieten. (Aber nur wenn die Wohnung nicht beschädigt wird). Eine 30-tägige Voranmeldung ist
erforderlich, wenn Sie vorzeitig umziehen müssen.
Wenn Sie mit der Wohnung zufrieden sind, müssen Sie lediglich einen gültigen Ausweis vorlegen und den Mietvertrag unterschreiben. Nach dem Einzug wird
die monatliche Zahlung direkt auf mein Bankkonto überwiesen oder Sie können weiterhin über Airbnb bezahlen.
Wenn Sie mit dem Bedingungen einvertanden sind, teilen Sie mir bitte die notwendigen Daten mit und ich werde Ihre Anforderung sofort witerleiten. Ich
werde Ihnen den Airbnb-Reservierungsangebot per email schicken und Sie können es von dort aus nehmen.
Sehr wichtig !! Bitte antworten Sie nur, wenn Sie den Prozess vollständig verstanden haben, da ich in letzter Zeit mit unseriöse Personen enttäuscht
wurde, wenn es um die Reservierung geht. Bitte denken Sie daran, dass ich Transaktionsgebühren zahlen muss und falls Sie Ihre Meinung ändern, werde ich
keine Rückerstattung von Airbnb erhalten!
 
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Hannah und Rafael

[Xalid0]

Same thing is happened to me just few days ago hier in Germany. Now she sent me the contract to transfer the money. 

my question is that since in all of these contracts an IBAN is given, why Airbnb or anyother responsible identity doesn't  go after that and trace that ?!! 

I googled the issue just by chance and I'm lucky that I didn't paid them any.