Stargazing Dome Scam Leaves Holidaymakers Disappointed and Frustrated
A sophisticated online scam is targeting unsuspecting travelers by advertising luxurious stargazing domes in North Yorkshire that don’t actually exist. Victims are being lured by attractive £99 deals for glamping experiences, only to discover they’ve been defrauded.
Samantha Cook and her fiancé Ryan Swain were one such couple who fell victim to the scam. Excited about a surprise getaway, they booked what appeared to be a futuristic dome with a transparent canopy through a website called Star Domes. Upon arriving at the provided location, they found themselves in an empty farmer’s field, devastated that their rare weekend together was ruined.
Local farmer Julian Potter has become an unexpected witness to the scam, with approximately 30 disappointed travelers mistakenly arriving at his field in the past six months. He described heartbreaking scenes of couples and families realizing they’ve lost money for a non-existent holiday.
The scam websites share several common characteristics:
– They use stolen photos from a genuine Airbnb destination in Australia
– Contain minor spelling mistakes
– Operate briefly before disappearing and reappearing under different names
– Create seemingly authentic booking confirmations and reviews
Another victim, Janice Kirby from County Durham, narrowly avoided traveling to the non-existent location after accidentally seeing a warning post on social media. She admitted feeling stupid and noted suspicious details like unusual check-in times that should have been red flags.
Consumer expert Rob Lilley-Jones explained that such scams are increasingly common, with thousands occurring daily. He advised victims to:
– Contact their bank first
– Report the fraud to Action Fraud
– Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true
Both Samantha and Ryan, and Janice, ultimately received refunds from their banks. However, the emotional impact extends beyond financial loss. Ryan emphasized how the experience has undermined their trust and affected their mental well-being.
North Yorkshire Police confirmed receiving a report about the scam and recommended that potential travelers:
– Double-check addresses
– Verify contact information
– Read terms and conditions carefully
– Validate online reviews from multiple sources
The BBC attempted to contact the scammers but received no response. The genuine Australian holiday rental company whose images were stolen expressed frustration with the unauthorized use of their photographs.
This scam serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when booking online, highlighting how sophisticated fraudsters can create seemingly legitimate websites to deceive unsuspecting consumers.
