They intended to beat the anticipated rush of travelers heading to Baguio City for Holy Week, thereby setting off earlier to the so-called Summer Capital of the Philippines.
They found a house on Airbnb located in Bakakeng, Baguio City that offered affordable rent and was conveniently located near the city center.
In their online correspondence with the supposed owner of the Airbnb, they agreed to pay a down payment of P3,000, with the balance to be settled upon their arrival.
Upon reaching the destination, the group spent a considerable amount of time driving around, unable to locate the address or the house resembling the one they booked online. They tried calling via messenger and the number linked to the GCash account to which they sent the money, but received no response.
When they asked the locals, they were told they were the eighth group searching for the said house, which actually didn't rent out on Airbnb and was reportedly the residence of the Barangay Captain.
This is a clear example of the warning issued by the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) - the existence of fake accommodations, attractive villas, apartments or hotel rooms offered at very low prices, but that do not actually exist for tourists to temporarily reside.
According to DICT, it is better to book accommodations through known agencies or websites, read reviews, and directly converse with landlords or hotel employees.
"Be vigilant because there are many types of scams - both online and physical," says DICT Secretary Ivan Uy.
Uy encourages the public to call the hotline 1326 if they encounter scams or suspicious individuals.
(Photo by Vera Victoria)
