Caution! You may have encountered a fraudulent offer. If accommodation providers refer you from Booking.com to another website, it is a scam. We'll explain what you should pay attention to!
How does the Booking.com scam work?
- You can find suitable accommodation on Booking.com.
- However, the accommodation cannot be booked via Booking.com. You will be asked to write to the provider directly. The agency “Sagitario Travel” or the website “sagitario-travel.com” is named as contact.
- You contact the agency and the accommodation is even offered to you with a 10% discount. You will receive some information about the accommodation and will also receive an invoice.
- The money should be transferred to a Spanish account.
- But “Sagitario Travel” is fraudulent! This agency's accommodation doesn't even exist. The images were stolen from other websites!
- If you transfer you will lose your money and have no place to stay!
Recognize fraudulent offers on Booking.com
- Price: A very tempting price is an indication of a scam. Great bargains are usually aimed at luring you into an internet trap.
- Communication on WhatsApp: Be careful if accommodation providers contact you on WhatsApp and request payments away from Booking.com. Very often you will also be put under pressure to make the payment immediately. Such an approach is dubious!
- You will be redirected to another website: In the accommodation information you will find a note that the booking should be made on another website. You should get in touch.
- Advance transfer away from Booking.com: The accommodation must be paid for in advance. However, the payment is not processed by Booking.com, but by the landlord. You should be particularly careful because if you have any problems, Booking.com will no longer be able to help you. However, if the booking process is handled by Booking.com itself, the platform can mediate if there are any problems.
Check the existence of the accommodation
Criminals use photos of real accommodations for their offers. They steal these images from other booking platforms or websites. However, they usually specify a different location. by using a reverse image search and researching map services such as Google Maps.
Do a reverse image search
- Download a photo of the property or copy the image link.
- Go to Google and click the camera icon in the search bar.
- Insert the property photo or image link.
- You will now receive search results in which the image also appears.
- Click through the results. You may be able to find the website that actually rents the property.
Use map services such as Google Maps
- Please inquire about the exact address of the accommodation.
- Find these in a map service. With Google's “Street View” function you get a good overview of the surrounding area.
Have you transferred?
- Contact your bank. The transfer may be stopped.
- Contact Booking.com and report the fraud.
- Report it to the police.
Advice & help
For specific advice requests, please contact the relevant offices that we have listed for you Advice & Help
Source: Watchlist Internet
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