This summer I will be traveling to Europe for my first time, and decided to use a booking website I have heard so much about: Airbnb. After hearing nothing but good things over and over again, I knew it’d be a good choice. I was especially excited at the opportunity to rent a house with my friends for less than the price of paying for a night in a hotel.

So far we have booked in four different countries, and finally we started looking at our next option: Paris. The weekend we are looking at is booking fast, and with such a large group we knew we had to act soon. That’s why we were so excited when we came across this listing:

The total for the whole weekend would only be $90/person, an offer we didn’t want to pass up. I immediately went to request to book it. I told the host about how we are a group of 8 business students, and we are representing our school based on our academic and leadership achievements. I explained in our message how professional we are, and how passionate about business we happen to be. This was the message I received back:

Now, although I haven’t actually stayed in an Airbnb yet, I had just gone through the process of booking four different ones in the last week and already felt weird. Why e-mail someone when there is messaging on the Airbnb website? Of course, I was curious, and sent her an e-mail using a “burner” e-mail. The e-mail she provided was:

book@chef.net

(I am bolding this so that if someone tries to get you to send something to this particular e-mail, know that you shouldn’t!)

After sending them a quick e-mail, this was the response I received:

Hello,

Thanks for the info’s hope to have a great holiday in Paris. It will be€185 ( EURO ) per night for the full apartment + €350 ( EURO ) security deposit which is fully refundable on the check out date. You will have full use of the property and standard amenities. Linens Included (sheets and towels). Utilities Included. Wi-fi Included. Parking space available.

If you would like to start the booking arrangements I would need the following info from your side:
– Arrival Date:
– Departure Date:
– No of Adults:
– No Children:
– First name:
– Last name:
– Street Address:
– City:
– Zip Code (Post Code) :
– Country:
– Phone Number:
– Scanned Passport/ID:
– Special Requests on arrival:

Like any other transactions on Airbnb, they will handle payment and it will be released to me only after you check in. If everything is ok, please provide the requested information so I can initiate the booking on Airbnb. Awaiting your reply.

Thank you

Airbnb
Hi Jun Young Jeon,
You’re going to United Kingdom! Please review your trip details below and contact your host, immediately to confirm the details of your arrival.
Thanks for using Airbnb!
2014-09-01 12:14:18 +0000
2014-09-01 12:14:18 +0000Itinerary
Confirmation Code: KU948LT

215 Bourchier St Soho, London W1D 4HZ, United KingdomMap of 212 Bourchier St, Soho, London W1D 4HZ

Large and Comfortable apartment*

Large and Comfortable apartment*
Apartment – Entire home/flat • 10 Guests

Arrive
Fri, 10 July, 2015

Depart
Sun, 12 July, 2015
2015-02-15 18:13:06 +0000

Your Host

Miguel
book@chef.net

Payment
Your reservation has been accepted, please send the payment to Airbnb by bank transfer within the next 24 hours. The payment is processed and collected by Airbnb in full. The security of your funds is ensured, and you’ll be protected by policies, such as cancellation policies and the Guest Refund Policy.

Please find our bank details below:

Account Name: INS Airbnb
Bank Name: Alior Bank
Bank Address: Opolska 100, 31-323, Krakow, Poland
IBAN: PL85 2490 0005 0000 4000 8199 4066
Swift Code: ALBPPLPW

For a faster transaction please pay by online bank transfer.
Once you have completed the payment please reply to this e-mail with the receipt of the bank transfer to validate your booking.

Whether the reservation is two days or two months away, we hold the payment until 24 hours after check-in before releasing the funds. This gives both parties time to do a walkthrough upon check-in and make sure that everything is as expected.
The host will receive full payment from Airbnb 24 hours after you check in.
Your payment is automatically covered against internet fraud up to €20,000.

Cancellation Policy
Flexible: Full refund 1 day prior to arrival, except fees

Customer Support
We’re here to help! If you need assistance with your reservation, please e-mail us at invoice@airbnb-payment.com. Thank you

2014-09-01 12:14:18 +0000

€208 x 2 Nights €416
Host Discount €0
Refundable Security Deposit €400
Airbnb Service Fee €0
Total €816
2014-09-01 12:14:19 +0000

• The host had no reviews
• The place was brand new and priced much lower than the surrounding homes, and was much nicer than the ones around it
• The name was entirely made of symbols
• Here is a screenshot of the “cozy” place in case you happen to come across it:

I hope this has been informative. Always be sure to trust your gut when it comes to these things, and never communicate with a person away from the Airbnb website.

I would also like to point out the incredible customer service of Airbnb. I reported this listing right away and they were so helpful and kind during the process! Thank you Amy from Ireland! The listing was removed immediately and it seems as though the host will be soon.

Happy traveling friends.

-Andrea DeBrino