| Step | Typical Tactics | Red Flags | |------|----------------|-----------| | | • Copy‑paste descriptions from legitimate hostels. • Use stock photos (often from Google Images). • Offer prices far below market rates. | • Too‑good‑to‑be‑true rates. • Generic or mismatched photos. | | 2. Direct Contact | • Messaging through the platform, then moving to personal email/WhatsApp/Telegram. • Urgency (“Only 2 rooms left! Pay now to secure”). | • Requests to move off‑platform. • Pressure tactics. | | 3. Payment Manipulation | • Payment via wire transfer, Western Union, crypto, or “pre‑paid” gift cards. • Fake payment portals mimicking the legitimate site. | • No secure payment gateway. • Requests for non‑reversible transfers. | | 4. No‑Show / Ghost Hostel | • After payment, the “hostel” either does not exist or the address is a private residence. • Some fraudsters provide a fake check‑in code that never works. | • Inconsistent address details. • Lack of reviews or only self‑generated reviews. | | 5. After‑effects | • Victim loses money, may suffer identity theft, or ends up stranded. • Negative publicity for the platform. | • No refund policy, no customer support response. |