Airbnb Users Warned of New Fraud Scheme Involving Fake Booking.com Sites

Scammers trick travelers into transferring money through fraudulent websites mimicking Booking.com.

The scam begins with fake Airbnb hosts asking users to communicate via email, citing technical issues with Airbnb's messaging system.
Victims are directed to a counterfeit Booking.com site, which is indistinguishable from the real one except for the URL.
Scammers collect personal information on the fake site and prompt users to make payments, which go directly to the fraudsters.
Consumers are advised to book accommodations directly through official platforms and verify details through Google Maps or the actual Booking.com site.
In case of financial loss, victims should immediately contact their bank to block the transaction, report the incident to Airbnb, and file a police report.