Nationwide Airbnb Scam Allegedly Nets $7M for LA Entrepreneur

Shray Goel, accused of double-booking nearly 100 properties and refusing refunds, was arrested in Florida and released on bond.

Shray Goel, a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur, has been indicted for allegedly running a nationwide Airbnb scam, double-booking nearly 100 properties and refusing guests refunds, raking in about $7 million in profits.
Goel is also accused of listing properties that did not exist or were not affiliated with him, using pseudonyms and false identities, and refusing refunds to guests who were entitled to them.
The scam involved properties in various locations across the US, including Los Angeles, Malibu, Marina del Rey, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Goel also operated on Vrbo, another rental platform, where he made $1.5 million before being banned in 2015.
Goel was arrested in Florida on Dec. 27 and released on bond the next day; no court date has been set yet.