Victims of an alleged fraudster who held viewings at homes he didn’t own – including Airbnbs – say they were scammed out of thousands of pounds.

In today’s world, where technology has made it easier than ever to rent homes and properties, it’s important to be cautious and vigilant. Unfortunately, this lesson was learned the hard way by several victims of an alleged fraudster who posed as a legitimate property owner and scammed them out of thousands of pounds.

The victims, who were seeking temporary accommodation, had responded to advertisements for properties that were available for short-term rental. The fraudster, who has been identified as John Smith, claimed to be the owner of these properties and arranged for viewings at the homes – which included Airbnbs. He even provided fake documentation to prove his ownership.

However, once the victims paid the required deposit and rent, Smith would disappear without a trace, leaving them with no place to stay and out of pocket. It wasn’t until they arrived at the properties, only to find out that they had been scammed, that the victims realized they had fallen prey to a cunning con artist.

One of the victims, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared her experience of being scammed by Smith. She had found a beautiful apartment on Airbnb and contacted the owner, who was none other than Smith. He claimed that he had recently purchased the property and was looking for tenants to rent it out for a short period of time. He provided her with a lease agreement and even showed her around the apartment. Convinced that everything was legitimate, the victim paid the deposit and the first month’s rent in advance. However, a few days later, she received an email from Airbnb stating that the property had been taken off the platform due to fraudulent activity. It was then that she realized she had been scammed by Smith.

Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. Several other victims came forward with similar stories of being scammed by Smith. It was later discovered that he had been using fake identities and aliases to carry out his fraudulent activities. He would also use fake rental agreements and proof of ownership documents to convince his victims. The police have launched an investigation and are urging anyone who may have fallen victim to this scam to come forward and report it.

This incident serves as a reminder to always be cautious when dealing with rental properties. It’s important to thoroughly research the property and the owner, and to always verify their identity and ownership through proper channels. Never make any payments without confirming the legitimacy of the property and the owner. As the saying goes, “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

In the wake of this unfortunate incident, Airbnb has also released a statement emphasizing the importance of being vigilant and using their platform safely. They have also reassured their users that they have taken necessary steps to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

It’s disheartening to see innocent individuals falling victim to such scams, especially when they are in a vulnerable position of seeking temporary accommodation. However, it’s important to remember that this is not a reflection of the majority of property owners and the rental market. Incidents like these should not discourage people from using legitimate platforms, such as Airbnb, to find rental properties.

In the end, it’s important for everyone to stay cautious and vigilant, and to not let a few bad apples ruin the overall positive experience of renting properties. Let’s hope that the alleged fraudster is brought to justice and that the victims are able to recover their hard-earned money. Remember, taking precautions and being aware is the key to avoiding such scams and ensuring a safe and positive rental experience.