Security News > 2024 > February > Airbnb scammers pose as hosts, redirect users to fake Tripadvisor site

Scammers on Airbnb are faking technical issues and citing higher fees to get users to a spoofed Tripadvisor website and steal their money.

Malwarebytes researchers came across the Airbnb scam when trying to book an apartment through the platform.

The scammer replies to the victim's email and tries to get the user to book the apartment via Tripadvisor.

To add credibility to the scam, the victim receives another email, ostensibly from Tripadvisor's platform, urging them to complete the booking by following the shortened URLs in the first email.

"Further research based on the URL to the fake Tripadvisor website showed us that these scammers have probably been active for quite some time," the researchers said, pointing out that they found 220 websites related to this scam.

The company also explains how users can identify emails and websites that impersonate Airbnb, and helpfully lists official Airbnb domains.

News URL

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2024/02/29/airbnb-scam/