Agoda hotel descriptions/prices warning

[Big Boy]

Yes, I thought that, but asking me to transfer cash to an individual's account?

[Big Boy]

I've been getting messages from these guys as well ธารา สปา ราชบุรี <notifications@agoda-messaging.com>

[Big Boy]

Latest extract from the latest message (in English as well):

I apologize for the inconvenient that has occurred.We have provided a room for you at our hotel on April 20th as your reservation. You can check-in and pay at the hotel from 2:00-9:00 p.m.

Sincerely yours,
Pheerada C. (Manager)

[hhinner]

Yes, I thought that, but asking me to transfer cash to an individual's account?

Quite right, it looks like their domain has been compromised and someone's set up a fake mail server address in the DNS records. The mail user name is an obvious flag and you should not have replied (as buksida says). You should always communicate with Agoda or booking.com (or any other online service) via their customer service e-mail or phone help line.

You could forward the e-mail to Agoda customer service to alert them. They may be able to provide an explanation.

[hhinner]

I've been getting messages from these guys as well ธารา สปา ราชบุรี <notifications@agoda-messaging.com>

This one looks real. I've had notifications from Agoda like this. It's their approved way for hotel and customer communication. This is from Tara Spa Ratchaburi.

[Big Boy]

Yes, that is the one they apologized on,

[hhinner]

OK then.

I have a theory about the original rubbishy email address and how it could be real. But I'm probably wrong so I won't share. Enjoy your stay in Ratchaburi.

[buksida]

Its quite easy to spoof domain names in phishing attacks which is what this appears to have been by asking for money via email rather than payment through the secure app.

https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/ssl ... -spoofing/

If something looks dodgy online, it probably is!

[hhinner]

^^ Agreed.

[buksida]

We know Agoda listings can be dodgy at times, but Booking.com may be just as bad ...

Man left £7,000 in debt after arriving in Thailand to find hotel didn't exist
A British holidaymaker found himself £7,000 in debt after arriving in Thailand to discover the hotel he had booked didn't exist. Glen Parke, 30, had paid £282 for a 59-night stay at Lek Lek Residence, advertised on Booking.com as a "one-bedroom house".

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... r-29072806

Although, alarm bells should have rung if you think you're getting a "one bedroom house" for less than a fiver per night!

[Big Boy]

Although, alarm bells should have rung if you think you're getting a "one bedroom house" for less than a fiver per night!

Yes, I read about that a few days ago on a Thai news feed, and thought he had been expecting a lot for his money. Strange thing is, he then went to the other end of the scale - expecting compensation methinks.