Booked AirBnB Scam - Airbnb useless and can't get any sense out of them

[Travelbroadens]

Basically it is for 3 day stay in London next week. Booked, but then noted host had 3 identical listings, very unusual property, period features, same views from window, same bits 'art'. Flagged to Airbnb as the other listings are still available to book on dates we should be there. They say, message host. I did, he read, no response. I then go back to Airbnb, they say give him 24 hours, i do, no response.
I then receive a phone call from 'friend' of host demanding another £350, I say no way, they say will cancel, I say fine. They do not cancel, and now have FIVE listings for same property.
I have sent multiple messages to Airbnb, escalated 4 times, they keep just passing me someone new, i tell them everything again, they say will escalate, but they never do, just get another new person....

Have reverse image searched and found same property identified as a scam on booking.com

Airbnb say host refuses to agree cancellation only if I lose full fee £800, of course I can't do that.

How do you get to speak to someone that has any sense at Airbnb?

Paid through paypal, raised issue with them, they say Airbnb have until 4 march to sort.

Desperate to sort it out :(

We had an issue in Glasgow last year where the host messaged to say they had cancelled (kindly gave us 24 hours notice) but the booking was still in place.

I contacted AirBnB with screenshots of messages to say basically look, the host has said they've cancelled, it's not actually cancelled on the system, I'm flagging this with you in case it's a scam and I get penalised for not turning up.

I did find it frustrating having them understand my issue, but got there in the end.

If I was you I'd be coming at it from the angle the host has threatened to cancel if you don't pay extra, send screenshots of the conversation to customer services, see if you get anywhere that way?

Glad you got sorted in the end. I'm still ongoing, they just don't get it!!! Unfortunately the host's 'friend' phoned me and asked for the money which I refused. Although he then also request4ed to change my reservation, which was simply to ask for another £350, again I refused his request.
Airbnb have finally clocked there is two of us booked at same time, but he is saying it is just rooms..... its clearly not, its an entire apartment... yet again just got a call from Airbnb, went through whole diatribe of last few days again, they say they will escalate to supervisor.... i think thats the fourth or fifth time been told that but it never happens... i just get some new call handler phone me and we start all over again. I am beyond belief at this process!!!

Don't book via Air BnB or any similar platform.
Contact the hosts directly. These platforms are money grabbers from both the owner and customer but without helping when problems occur.

How would this have helped the OP, if she'd booked directly with the hosts?
I'd think she'd have less protection if they're demanding more money.

I have just posted about an awful Airbnb - we went to a disgusting hovel and had to leave. It was dangerous. Airbnb won't do anything at all. I don't think they can be trusted any more. It is sad as I am sure there are a lot of wonderful honest hosts (I have had some great houses before) but not sure I will dare book again. Sorry you are having this.

Have you tried posting publically on Twitter/LinkedIn to their page. Places tend to escalate a lot quicker if they are being slated on a public forum.

Bit of an update - airbnb alternate between telling me they can do nothing because there is no evidence and when I point out I have sent them photos of the cable, the broken glass nd the dirt, they then say they will get back to me. I then get an email saying they will close the case. I reply saying as they seem to be doing nothing they may as well but I am very disappointed and their customer service is appalling, and we start again.....