If you are searching for apartments in Dubai, please be vigilant of a sophisticated scam making rounds. A fraudulent agent, contacting potential victims through emails (notably from zara@vigmail.pro), is directing unsuspecting individuals to a counterfeit Airbnb website. A recent victim reported losing $2,250 after paying for a 2-month apartment rental, including a security deposit. The payment was made through Moonpay on February 28, 2024, at 14:00 Dubai time.

The scam came to light after the payment was made, and it was discovered that the Airbnb site was fake. This site was promptly taken down following the transaction, making it difficult for the victim to take immediate action.

This incident serves as a reminder to thoroughly verify the legitimacy of rental listings and websites before making any payments. If you have fallen victim to the same or similar scam involving the email address provided or payments through Moonpay, please share your story. Your experience can be invaluable in helping others avoid falling for the same scam and can assist in ongoing OSINT investigations aimed at tracking down and stopping these fraudsters.