Cops inform Airbnb scam victim that they are too busy to attend the luxury beachfront home where the suspected identity thief was staying, despite the villa’s proximity to the police station (500 meters).
A Sydney man’s Airbnb account was compromised by someone who booked an expensive vacation.
They paid $1,800 for seven nights at a “tropical getaway villa” in Scarborough.
500 meters from the villa, Andrew called Scarborough police, who refused to help.
A fraudster who hacked into an Australian man’s Airbnb account and spent $1800 overnight at a beachside home has been apprehended, but only after police initially indicated they were too busy to get there, despite the villa being less than 500 meters from the police station.
On Monday, the Sydney executive who wished to be known only as “Andrew” saw his bank balance was lower than usual and discovered a fraudulent credit card transaction for an Airbnb booking in Western Australia.
Andrew phoned the beachfront community’s police station after learning the visitor had booked a seven-night stay at a “Tropical Retreat Luxury Villa” in Scarborough, Perth, and would remain there.
Andrew was however astonished by the response he received.
An alleged identity thief was apprehended due to the persistence of an Australian businessman who was furious that authorities ignored the hacking of his Airbnb account.
Andrew, a Sydney businessman, contacted Scarborough police on Monday after discovering that an unknown someone had accessed his Airbnb account and booked seven nights in a “tropical resort home” in Western Australia.
Andrew told Daily Mail Australia, “I called Scarborough Police Station, told them the entire story, and that the burglars were still at the location, and provided them the address.”
“According to Google, the station was 500 meters away from Scarborough police.”
“They stated it’s a cybercrime concern; please report it online,”
He was sent to the Australian Cyber Security website by law enforcement.
Andrew called the Scarborough police a second time, pleading, because he was unable to report the crime on that website.
On his second call, he was informed, “I have people waiting at the counter, and we do not have enough automobiles.”
The officer was then cut off by the female officer.
‘I felt fobbed off,’ he said. Andrew remarked, “It’s incredible that a crime had been committed and was still in progress while I was helpless to stop it.”
On the first of two calls Andrew made to the Scarborough police – positioned 500 meters from the Scarborough Tropical Retreat Luxury Villa – he was informed that it was not their responsibility.
When Andrew contacted the Scarborough police station a second time on the suspected Airbnb scam, they reportedly investigated and made an arrest.
However, it appears that the police did take note of what he said, since they were able to attend the location and make an arrest.
This led them to hunt for a home in Scarborough’s Westborough Street, which is barely 100 meters away from the Airbnb apartment.
There, police seized what they believe to be 13 illegally altered driver’s licenses, seven further WA licenses, a NSW license, a Medicare card, and a bank debit card, none of which were in the name of the alleged perpetrator.
A 26-year-old lady from Aubin Grove in southern Perth was detained and charged with possession of stolen property, narcotics, and drug paraphernalia.
On Monday, he discovered a $1,800 transaction from his credit card for an Airbnb booking that he did not create, as well as a receipt on the Airbnb app (shown).
What Scamwatch has to say about Airbnb rip-offs
Scamwatch reported to Daily Mail Australia that it has received 52 allegations of Airbnb-related frauds this year.
However, majority were unrelated to account takeovers.
It is unknown how a client gained access to Andrew’s Airbnb account.
According to Scamwatch, it is essential to enable all notifications in the Airbnb app, including login alerts.
Contact Airbnb if you get an unexpected notification.
Immediately contact your bank if you see any unusual financial activity.
Recent prevalent Airbnb frauds include:
Being requested to book and pay for Airbnb accommodations through a third-party app, such as WhatsApp.
Additionally, consumers should be wary of websites designed to resemble Airbnb, especially if they have received a link via social media.
A new fraud falsely claims that Airbnb has received a payment from your credit card.
Andrew contacted the property owner via Airbnb in-app chat that the guest claiming to be him was allegedly a scammer, in addition to alerting the police.
A screenshot of the in-app chats depicts the alleged con artist claiming to be on a business trip and extending ‘his’ stay.
“We recently came and are settling in; the location is great.” Thank you for the thoughtful additional items.
Andrew contacted the host directly via Facebook, but received no response. There is no indication that the host was negligent.
Andrew reported immediately to Airbnb, but the only response he received was an automated email requesting he verify his credit card information.
Andrew stated, “I am quite dissatisfied with the entire situation because Airbnb and the police failed me when I originally contacted them.”
“I am alarmed that the burglar utilized my Airbnb in-app chat system, pretending to be me, and that it could be accessible by anyone, what the hell?”
Tuesday morning, he received notice that the unknown individual claiming to be him had canceled the reservation.
Additionally, he contacted his bank, Commonwealth, who reversed the transaction.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Scamwatch reported that the hacking of Airbnb accounts appeared to be a new fraud.
A screenshot from Andrew’s Airbnb account reveals the suspected scammer communicating with the owner prior to his alerting them.
It recommended all Airbnb customers to closely monitor alerts and bank transactions, paying specific attention to those originating from outside the official app.
On September 13, 2022, the accused woman is scheduled to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court.