We recently received a report regarding average-hotel-rating.com, a fraudulent website that has been involved in defrauding individuals through fake hotel advertisements. The victim in this case lost approximately 1.67043 ETH, equivalent to around $4,380 USD, which was sent to the receiving address 0xb7f478509f1adffa27681ea87095730ddbee4a97 . The scam involved deceptive claims about exclusive hotel deals, using convincing ads that lured individuals to make direct payments under the guise of booking accommodations at attractive rates.

This type of scam preys on individuals seeking travel accommodations, using persuasive language and appealing offers to induce a sense of urgency. Once the payment is made, however, there is no hotel reservation, and communication with the website ceases, leaving the individual without recourse for recovery. The receiving address involved in this transaction was used to siphon off the funds without providing any legitimate service in return.

The request for payment in cryptocurrency is a significant red flag, as it enables scammers to easily escape without a trace, leveraging the irreversible nature of blockchain transactions. This scam’s design was clearly aimed at making it difficult for victims to recover funds or pursue any form of accountability.

We strongly advise anyone looking to book hotels online to exercise caution when dealing with platforms that request direct cryptocurrency payments, especially when there are no established customer reviews or transparent contact information available. Reputable travel and hotel services do not require cryptocurrency payments, and the lack of accountability from platforms like average-hotel-rating.com points conclusively to fraudulent intent. To protect yourself, always use trusted booking platforms and be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. If you have already been affected by this scam, gather all transaction details and report them to appropriate authorities to help mitigate the spread of similar fraudulent schemes.

Average-hotel-rating.com is a deceptive platform that tricks users with promises of easy earnings for leaving Google reviews. Promoted as a way to earn rewards by reviewing hotels, the site quickly reveals itself as a reward scam that preys on unsuspecting users seeking legitimate opportunities. This platform encourages users to pay “prepaid fees” for higher rewards, only to leave them with empty wallets and blocked access to their accounts.

False Promises and Deceptive Tactics

Average-hotel-rating.com entices users by offering payouts for completing simple tasks, such as leaving positive hotel reviews on Google. However, once users sign up and start engaging, the site demands prepaid fees to access larger payouts. These fees are part of a classic scam tactic, where users are continuously prompted to “upgrade” or make upfront payments without ever receiving the promised rewards.

One user reported losing a significant amount of 1.670 ETH (approximately $5,000 USD) after transferring funds to the crypto receiving address 0xb7f478509f1adffa27681ea87095730ddbee4a97 . Despite paying the fees, the user received no reward, no access to withdrawals, and eventually realized that they had fallen victim to a scam.

Domain Analysis: Recently Created Platform with Scam Indicators

Average-hotel-rating.com is a newly registered domain, which is often characteristic of short-lived scam websites:

• Updated Date: 2024-08-13
• Creation Date: 2024-08-13
• Registry Expiry Date: 2025-08-13
• Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +60.189836788

The domain’s recent creation and the lack of any legitimate online presence raise serious doubts about its authenticity. Scam platforms are often designed to operate briefly before disappearing, making it easier for scammers to avoid accountability.

Red Flags to Watch For

1. Prepaid Fees for Rewards: Legitimate reward programs do not require upfront fees. If a platform demands “prepaid fees” for higher payouts, it’s likely a scam.
2. Unrealistic Earnings for Simple Tasks: Promising high earnings for tasks like leaving reviews is a common scam tactic used to lure in users.
3. Blocked Access After Payment: Once users pay the fees, they are often denied access to withdrawals or further communication with the platform, leaving them unable to recover their funds.
4. Recently Created Domain: A newly registered domain with minimal online presence, like Average-hotel-rating.com, is another warning sign of a scam.

Average-hotel-rating.com Conclusion

Average-hotel-rating.com is a fake reward-earning platform that uses false promises of easy Google review earnings to lure in unsuspecting users. With prepaid fees as a tactic to steal funds, this scam has already caused one user to lose 1.670 ETH (about $5,000 USD), and more victims could follow if the site remains active.

Avoid engaging with Average-hotel-rating.com or similar platforms that demand upfront payments for rewards. Reporting such scams and sharing experiences can help protect others from falling into the same trap.