When a vacation doesn’t go as planned, most people shrug it off or try to make the best of it. But for one couple, disappointment turned into a 25-day revenge campaign that left their Airbnb host reeling.
It all began when a Chinese couple booked a villa in Seoul, South Korea, for their long-awaited vacation. The problem? They hadn’t bothered to check the location properly. Expecting to stay in the bustling heart of the city, they were dismayed to find themselves in a quiet suburb instead.
Their disappointment quickly turned into anger. When they asked the host, Mr. Lee, to cancel their reservation, he refused, citing Airbnb’s policy since they had already paid for the stay. At first, the couple seemed to accept his decision. But then they asked a seemingly innocent question: “Are there any surveillance cameras on the property?”
When Mr. Lee replied “no,” the couple saw their chance to strike back.
What followed was a petty and shocking act of retaliation. The couple turned on every light, tap, electrical appliance, and gas line they could find before leaving the property. They didn’t even stay there for their vacation! Instead, they traveled around South Korea, stopping by the villa just five times over the 25 days they’d booked. Each visit lasted no more than five minutes – enough time to ensure their resource-wasting efforts were still going strong.
The extent of their revenge became clear only after they checked out. Mr. Lee was contacted by his gas company, which flagged an alarming increase in usage, fearing there might be a leak. Rushing to the property, the host found windows wide open, gas burners on full blast, and lights glowing in every room.
The damage? A jaw-dropping $730 gas bill, $116 for water and electricity, and $728 in additional expenses. In total, the vengeful couple used over 120,000 liters of water – all for a house they barely stayed in.
Desperate for help, Mr. Lee turned to Airbnb customer service, hoping they would step in. But he was met with a cold response: the platform claimed it couldn’t make an exception to their policies and left him to sort it out directly with the tourists.
By then, the couple had already left South Korea, leaving their host to deal with the financial fallout of their petty vendetta.
This story serves as a cautionary tale for Airbnb hosts everywhere – and a shocking reminder of how far some people will go when their vacation dreams are dashed. What do you think? Was this revenge too extreme? Share your thoughts and spread the story with your friends!
