AZE.US
An Azerbaijani family was left without accommodation after falling victim to a fake short-term rental listing in the Ismayilli district.
The victim, Eyvaz Daniyarov, said he found an advertisement on social media offering a five-room house for 120 manats per day.
After contacting the person behind the listing, he agreed to rent the property and transferred 100 manats as a deposit.
However, when the family arrived at the location, they discovered that the house shown in the advertisement did not exist there. The photographs had no connection to the address provided, while the supposed landlord stopped answering calls.
“We came here with the whole family, but there is no such house at the location they sent us,” Daniyarov said. “The phone is no longer reachable. It is not only about the 100 manats. You arrive with your family and end up stranded outside.”
Owners of legitimate rental properties say scammers often copy photographs and addresses from real listings, publish them under different phone numbers and collect advance payments from customers.
The victims then arrive at the genuine property, believing they have booked it, only to learn that the owner has never spoken to them and has not received any payment.
Property owner Javid Badalov said he planned to report the case to the local police department.
Residents are advised to verify the identity of the property owner, confirm the exact address and request a live video call from inside the house before transferring any deposit.
AZE.US