In a cautionary tale that has resonated across social media, Ariel Lyndsey, an American solo female traveller, recently opened up about her alarming experiences with accommodation scams in the picturesque suburb of Camps Bay, Cape Town.
Known for her vibrant and engaging travel content, Lyndsey took to TikTok to share not just a personal disappointment, but a warning for other globetrotters about the potential perils hiding within popular booking platforms.
Having journeyed throughout South Africa, from the bustling streets of KwaMashu in Durban to the scenic beauty of Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, Lyndsey's adventure took a disappointing turn when she attempted to secure lodging via the well-known short-term rental service, Booking.com.
Despite her extensive experience with the site, which had never led her astray before, she fell victim not once, but twice to deceptive listings in Camps Bay.
@ariellyndsey scam story time: will do an update w what ended up happening I realized I was still all over the place and didn’t finish the story 😭
“So I’m pretty sure I was scammed,” Lyndsey explained in a poignant video, which captured her waiting outside an unresponsive house she had booked and paid for online.
“I arrived and the door wasn’t answered, even though my booking was confirmed on the app.”
The bewildering situation not only soured her anticipated stay but also raised questions about the integrity of the listings on these platforms.
For this particular booking, Lyndsey had invested $100 (approximately R1,835.43) for a night's stay in a villa, a price that would soon prove to be a harbinger of trouble.
After making multiple attempts to contact the hosts, she turned to Booking.com for assistance, managing to secure a last-minute reservation at an Airbnb, albeit under stressful circumstances.
@ariellyndsey accusing me of making this up is wild 😂 anyway haven’t had time to do full story time cuz I been on the phone w booking.com the last 24 hrs and sorting out this second scam one, the plot thickened tho it’s actually wild 😭☠️
In a follow-up video, she reached out to her audience with a clear warning: “Verify the listings you book guys!!!”
Her message sparked a flurry of responses from concerned users, many of whom shared similar experiences or offered advice.
One commenter, @justkatlee, cautioned against booking options in Cape Town unless they could be verified through a legitimate business.
Another user, @katlegommutloane9, raised eyebrows at the price, stating, “$100 for Camps Bay is a red flag; those are Sea Point prices.
Additional comments echoed Lyndsey’s frustrations, with users recounting their personal tales of scams, including a family from Namibia who, despite losing a staggering amount on an ill-fated booking, managed to reclaim their funds.
Others highlighted a disturbing trend of properties listed on Airbnb that were already inhabited by the rightful owners, a scenario that has reportedly been occurring since the festive season of last year.
Lyndsey's account paints a powerful picture of the vulnerabilities travellers can face, particularly in high-demand areas like Camps Bay.
As the tourism sector continues to rebound post-pandemic, it's becoming increasingly vital for both platforms and consumers to remain vigilant against potential scams.