- Deposits are collected before hosts disappear.
- Traveller protection tips against accommodation scams
- Scam activity rose thirty times compared to first half of 2023.
- Hijacked accounts carry existing reviews and verification.
- Criminals publish multiple fake properties from one account.
- Deposits go to scammers before guests arrive.
- Researchers analysed data from January 2023 to May 2026.
- Scam activity has increased thirtyfold since early 2023.
- Criminals hijack verified host accounts with reviews.
- Fake listings use existing booking histories.
- Communication stays within the booking platform.
New research from Saily and NordStellar has shown that Airbnb related scam activity has surged thirtyfold since the first half of 2023. Cybercriminals have hijacked verified host accounts with existing reviews and booking histories to create fake listings that appear legitimate to travellers.
Researchers observed steady growth over three years with the sharpest rise in the last 12 months. Verified host accounts have become sought after assets on cybercrime marketplaces because they carry credibility and platform history. A single compromised account allows attackers to list multiple fake properties and collect deposits before disappearing.
Matas Cenys from Saily confirmed that scams have become harder to spot as criminals steal trust from established accounts rather than create new ones. Travellers receive booking confirmations and communicate with hosts that seem authentic until they reach the destination. Experts recommend keeping communication on the platform and reverse searching property photos.
Matas Cenys shared “Travelers are getting better at spotting obvious scams. Criminals know this, so they are increasingly trying to steal trust instead of building fake trust from scratch. From a traveler’s perspective, a listing created through a compromised verified host account can look entirely authentic.”
