Hi Andrei,
First — I’m really sorry to hear you were scammed. That must have been incredibly frustrating, especially when planning a group trip. It's wise to be cautious now.
I took a look at the Villa Caran listing and here are a few things to keep in mind:
Things to Check:
Host Profile: Look at how long the host "Casas Do" has been on the platform. If they’re new and have no reviews, it’s okay to be cautious, but it doesn’t automatically mean it’s a scam.
Other Properties: If the host manages multiple listings with good reviews, that’s usually a good sign. Check for consistency in quality and tone.
Photos: Do a reverse image search (right-click on photos, choose “Search image with Google”) to see if the images appear on other websites. If they’re stolen from another listing, that’s a red flag.
Communication: Message the host with a specific question (e.g., "What’s the walking distance to the beach?" or "Can you confirm if the kitchen has two fridges for a group our size?"). A real host will respond with detailed answers — not just copy-paste replies.
Safety Tips:
Only pay through Airbnb directly — never wire money or communicate outside the platform.
Look for Superhosts if you want extra peace of mind.
Use Airbnb’s “Request to Book” with a message that politely expresses your concerns and asks for reassurance.
Wishing you and your group a safe and beautiful holiday in Portugal!
