Une nouvelle arnaque sévit sur Booking : l’appartement fantôme

Overview

The video warns of a new wave of “ghost apartment” scams targeting tourists in Paris. Fraudulent listings appear on Booking.com (and similar platforms), advertising luxury stays near major landmarks—often at unrealistically low prices—but the accommodation does not exist.

How the “Ghost Apartment” Scam Works

The core scam structure

• Ads claim an apartment is available (sometimes supported by strong review scores and convincing photos).
• When tourists arrive at the provided address, they find:
  • crowds of other victims, and
  • confirmation that there are no seasonal rentals in the building.

How victims are lured

Listings often use:

• “dreamlike” wording (e.g., “terrace next to the Eiffel Tower”),
• high ratings,
• seemingly real imagery,
• and perks or promises (e.g., “free shuttle/breakfast”) that make the deal feel irresistible.

Investigation Findings and Red Flags

The creators report recurring warning signs across multiple listings, including:

• Reviews that mention unrelated settings, such as “rural” locations or caravan contexts.
• Owner identities that can’t be found online, and photos that appear AI-generated.
• Descriptions that change over time, suggesting manipulation or replacement content.
• Photos reused from other properties, identifiable through reverse image search (sometimes traced to different platforms entirely).

Platform / Verification Failures

The video argues that Booking does not remove fraudulent listings quickly enough, even after reports and repeated evidence.

• The creators estimate dozens of similar listings in ~1.5 months, mostly around the Tour Eiffel area.
• They imply this pattern could lead to hundreds of victims.

Demonstration (“Test Listing”)

The narrator claims they created a fake Booking listing using:

• an address near the Eiffel Tower, and
• photos from stock / AI-generated sources.

They report that:

• the listing became visible quickly, and
• it received booking requests,

suggesting platform checks may be bypassable.

Comparison with Airbnb

The video also compares outcomes on Airbnb:

• Airbnb allegedly prompted identity/tax-related verification more effectively.
• The narrator claims Airbnb removed their account after publication.

Possible Hacking of Existing Accounts / Listings

One contacted property owner describes suspected account takeover:

• They received emails containing login/access codes.
• The owner clicked a link, then later suspected hackers gained control of their Booking account.
• The scammers allegedly preserved positive reviews while altering the listing.

The owner also reports:

• many calls from abroad, and
• allegations of victims contacting them aggressively, including claims of physical aggression.

Refund and Resolution Issues

Even when victims receive some form of assistance, outcomes vary widely:

• some bookings are canceled automatically or partially refunded,
• others are offered alternative lodging far away (e.g., in other cities),
• some receive only limited compensation.

Broader Security Context

The video references another Booking-related scam pattern:

• phishing via messaging links designed to capture bank details.

It also notes Booking’s claim that it prevented:

• 14 million fraudulent transaction attempts in 2025
• and that compromised cases were locked after confirmation.

Practical Advice for Viewers

To reduce risk, the video recommends:

• Compare the price with similar nearby listings.
• Check that the name in the URL matches the accommodation shown in the ad.
• Perform a reverse image search on the photos.
• Read reviews for inconsistencies (e.g., incorrect location context).
• Be cautious with listings that have no meaningful limits (e.g., unlimited bookings/time/rooms).
• If anything seems off, avoid completing payment steps quickly and verify before arrival.

Presenters / Contributors Mentioned

• Primary narrator/host (speaking on-camera as a journalist-like character)
• “Le Parisien” (journal the narrator impersonates)
• Thomas (“an ethical hacker,” referenced for a technical explanation)
• Mathieu (named in subtitles; likely the interviewer/creator’s reference to the ethical hacker)
• Emilie Peron (property owner interviewed/cited)
• “Marijot” (concierge/caretaker replacement managing tourists; interviewed/cited)
• Fabio (victim cited)
• Madeline (victim cited)
• Damien (mentioned regarding Airbnb account deletion)