I know I’m not the first person that’s had this experience, but I’d like to know if there’s anything I can do to prevent others from falling for it (report it somewhere)

I’ve been looking to find a new home to rent for my parents. Spotted a really nice place on ImmoScout24. It did seem a little too good to be true, but I said, you know what, I’ll go along with it and see what scam this person comes up with. It was very cheap for the location and what it looked like + including all bills. I tried messaging her through the website, but she asked me for an email to communicate there. I emailed her, and she sent over some additional pictures, saying that she’s now working in Italy and has a deal with Airbnb to rent her home, both short-term and long-term.

This was when I began to be suspicious as I know and use Airbnb pretty well, and they don’t handle this stuff for you (like sending you the keys to the apartment). But she kept saying that all the contracts and transfers would be made through Airbnb’s website.

Of course, she now sent me the link where I’d have to sign the contracts and make the payment. The link starts with “[airbnb.de](https://airbnb.de)” but ends with “[alrbnb.de](https://alrbnb.de),” which looks exactly like the Airbnb website but is, of course, fake.

[https://airbnb.de/pre-approved-9f22-fdf0a7830b1b.impyetechin.xyz/676f/ostringen-modernisierte-wohnung-mit-einbaukuche/ea640fhttps://alrbnb-pre-approved-9f22-fdf0a7830b1b.impyetechin.xyz/676f/ostringen-modernisierte-wohnung-mit-einbaukuche/ea640f](https://alrbnb-pre-approved-9f22-fdf0a7830b1b.impyetechin.xyz/676f/ostringen-modernisierte-wohnung-mit-einbaukuche/ea640fhttps://alrbnb-pre-approved-9f22-fdf0a7830b1b.impyetechin.xyz/676f/ostringen-modernisierte-wohnung-mit-einbaukuche/ea640f)

Fortunately, it’s not the first time I have used the Internet. I regret telling her that I know it’s a scam because now I don’t have access to the page anymore.

Big mistake on my part, I sent her proof of identification (a picture of my passport), and she sent “hers” in return. Is there anything she can do about that?

Do you know if there is anywhere I could report this incident?

3 comments

  1. !housing

    Make sure to read these Wiki pages, particularly the second one.

    >Big mistake on my part, I sent her proof of identification (a picture of my passport), and she sent “hers” in return. Is there anything she can do about that?

    “She” is going to use your passport with other victims. Scammers collect and trade IDs.

    >Do you know if there is anywhere I could report this incident?

    You can report it to police, but the scammer will be abroad who knows where.

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