Does this seem legit ?

[Johnson68]

Hi I am looking to book a long term let via a popular estate agent website in Luxembourg. I found a property which seems right with my budget etc. But I am being asked to make a payment via Airbnb platform and Air Pay. Does this seem legit, they dont have a listing on Airbnb.

For reservation, please allow me to explain the process in more detail:

You’re welcome to reserve the apartment in advance online to make sure it’s fully secured for you.To secure it, the first month’s rent and security deposit must be paid upfront. Payments are processed securely through Airbnb’s Long-Term Rentals platform and held under their AirCover program until after your inspection.

As soon as the booking is confirmed, we will sign the rental agreement (for the desired period), which you can use to register your residence with the local authorities.

Once you arrive, you’ll have 1 full day to inspect the property. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, you’ll receive a full refund through Airbnb’s AirCover program. If you decide to stay after the inspection, we’ll finalize the rental agreement, and I’ll provide you with all the necessary details. Rest assured, there are no fees or taxes for you as the tenant—Airbnb’s reservation fees and taxes are fully covered by me as the host. This way, the process is as smooth and transparent as possible for you.

Here are the pricing details and rental terms:

Monthly Rent: €1,250 / month

Utilities and Condominium fees Included: Wi-Fi, TV service, electricity, water, air conditioning, heating, cleaning and maintenance of common areas, lighting of common areas, electricity consumption for shared spaces, waste management)

Security Deposit: €1,250 (fully refundable at checkout)

All terms and conditions will be clearly outlined in the rental contract — with no hidden fees, extra deposits, or unexpected charges. Transparency is very important to me, and I want to ensure everything is easy to understand and fair.

If you’d like to proceed, just send me the following details:

Your full name

Preferred move-in date / check-out date

Duration of stay

Number of guests

Your mobile number

Once I have this information, I’ll request a unique reservation code for you. The code will be valid for 4 hours, giving you time to confirm your booking.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

[Mike-And-Jane0 · Accepted solution]

@Johnson68 scam scam scam scam.

As with most things in life if it is too good to be true then it is too good to be true.

If the rental agent is popular (and legit) then the scammers may have a fake website set up. Airbnb just does not operate this way

[Johnson68]

Thanks ! I have stopped communicating with them and reported them. 

[Joelle43]

Hello @Johnson68 

They don't have an Airbnb listing and yet say that Airbnb will collect the money??  How does that work? Plus, Air Cover does not work like that either.  Definitely something not right here!!

[Quincy]

Welcome to the Community Center @Johnson68,  I was wondering whether you've seen the responses from Mike and Joelle? Always book and communicate through Airbnb’s official platform only. 

[Johnson68]

Hi Quincy, yes I did. Thankyou for all the guidance I have stopped the communication with the scammer. 

[Quincy]

Thanks for sharing an update @Johnson68! 

[Thierry661]

100% SCAM