Today we receive a very odd enquiry through Airbnb. It comes from someone whose name is Cfghdj. That on its own is cause for concern. They tell us they would like to stay for two weeks in August, but could we contact them on their whatsapp number to discuss availability. Because Airbnb automatically picks up if you have tried to bypass their system by giving out your phone number, they have carefully typed their number out in words and inserted all sorts of random words to try and avoid being caught.
Please contact me on forty number two and three and three, followed by seven and eight, and then six. And so on.
We are immediately suspicious but send a message anyway, asking what they would like to discuss. The whatsapp profile picture shows a very thin young woman with dyed blonde hair throwing her head back in laughter.
A couple of hours later, we get a reply from someone in Romania. They tell us that they work in the travel industry and that a certain amount of money was set aside for travel to various countries this year, but this travel has been cancelled due to the virus. They suggest this plan: they will book to stay at our cottage for two weeks, but no one will actually come. The business they work for will pay for the accommodation and we will keep half and give half to this person, Cfghdj. No wonder they are throwing their head back in laughter.
We decline the offer.
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