Family Loses $16000 To Scammers Who Posted Fake Airbnb Listing

A family were left upset after they lost $16,000 to scam artists who posted a fake Airbnb listing.

The Ros family were excited to arrive in Auckland in New Zealand from Barcelona to learn English and prepare themselves for a full-time move, but it was marred by scam artists who almost ruined their new life in the country, New Zealand Herald reports.

They stayed at two Airbnb properties then tried to book another listing in the suburb of Takapuna. However, they were told that their credit card payment was unsuccessful, and was told to pay to a Spanish bank instead.

The family paid to stay from September to November last year, but was shocked to learn that the listing was fake when they arrived at the property.

“Thankfully we have enough money to stay… but imagine if this happens to a family that doesn’t have the money,” Amaia Ros told the New Zealand Herald. “We were thinking of going back to Spain because of this, but then we met very lovely people and the community that helped us.”

Luckily, the family found support in the local community who rallied around the family to help raise funds, organise accommodation, furniture and food for the family.

Now, the family’s youngest child is set to attend Takapuna Primary School.

An Airbnb spokesperson said that they are investigating the matter.

“When we detect potentially concerning behaviour our team takes a range of actions including removing a user from the platform entirely,” the spokesperson told the New Zealand Herald. “Building a safe, trusted community is our priority.”

Source: Au.be.yahoo.com