[PHOTOS] “It’s so angry!”: Their spoiled summer vacation by praising false chalets

The authorities investigate cybercriminals who have fun ruining the summer holidays of dozens of Quebec families by praising them false luxury chalets before disappearing with their money.

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“I sent about $ 1,000 to reserve the place. I asked for the bill and they immediately blocked me on their Facebook page called Beauchalets [sic]. This is where I saw red flags, ”says Kelly Bouffard, from Saint-Hyacinthe with bitterness.

The false chalet rented on the site of fraudsters by the family of Ms. Bouffard. This was for rent for only $ 400 per night.

Beauchalets.ca screenshot

This 29-year-old Quebecer had reserved a chalet for 11 family members, during the first weekend in August, in the Eastern Cantons. The “high -end villa” sold dreams: 7 rooms, a heated swimming pool, a four -season spa and even direct access to Lake Brompton.

The scammers have completely copied the aesthetics of the Airbnb platform for their deception.

Beauchalets.ca screenshot

The accommodation was however offered on “Beauchalets.ca”, a website managed by crooks who steal real announcements published on the Airbnb platform. Note that these individuals display for each falsely offered chalets the real addresses and license numbers of the corporation of the tourism industry of Quebec (CITQ).

Cybercriminals have also bitten the real CITQ numbers of existing chalets, as we can see on this snapshot.

Beauchalets.ca screenshot

“It’s so angry!” It spoils part of our leave. In addition, we went there for the feast of my spouse’s daughter. […] The bank says that she will not be able to reimburse us because we have made an interac transfer. Finally, we found a new chalet at the last minute which cost us another $ 1,500, “sighs the twenty -year -old, who filed the police.

They continue to rage

The newspaper Found dozens of Quebecers, such as Kelly Bouffard, who say they have been defrauded by Beauchalets since the beginning of the summer.

“I sent a first deposit of $ 490 for our reservation scheduled last weekend. […] Luckily, a person on Facebook warned me of fraud. I have lost a lot of money for a chalet that I would never see. It spoils our vacation a little. We complained to the police, but they can’t do much, “said Kim Poitras, a Mascouche mother.

The luxurious house rented by Kim Poitras and her family. This dream residence, located in Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs, finally turned out to be fraud on the Beauchalets.ca site.

Beauchalets.ca screenshot

Note that scammers have two Facebook pages, which are still active, with more than 6000 subscribers where they promote their phony chalets. They also systematically remove all negative messages under their publications so that the future victims be alerted.

One of the Facebook pages of fraudsters is followed by more than 6000 subscribers. This remains active, despite several reports from the victims.

Beauchalet Facebook screenshot

“Two complaints were filed with the Sherbrooke Police Service (SPS) in connection with this type of fraud. […] The Criminal Investigation Division has taken care of the file, ”confirms to the Journal This police force.

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) indicates for its part to “the fact of several cases of alleged fraud” in connection with the Beauchalet site in the province, without giving more details.

They show up at the chalet … already praised

Claudia Smith, owner of a rental management company called “O chalets des cantons”, saw one of its luxurious villas on Airbnb to be used by cybercriminals.

Ms. Smith’s company recently warned the public against the crooks who steal the images of her chalets.

Facebook screenshot

“Since the beginning of the summer, they have stolen our photos and make people believe that the chalet has been for rent at a ridiculous price,” she explains. We have people who are coming up to three hours on the road and who appear in front of the chalet already busy. I had to install a sign to notify them of fraud in the entrance with my phone number. ”

Ms. Smith was forced to put this sign on the edge of her chalet to warn the victims of the fraudsters who arise at their residence for rent.

Photo provided by Claudia Smith

M^me Smith says that for a week, this month, five different groups presented themselves at their chalet for rent in Saint-Denis-de-Brompton … to realize once they had been scammed.

“I don’t understand why nothing is done. Several people reported their pages to Facebook, Google and the police. It has not been moving for several weeks, ”laments the Quebecer.

Our interview requests with Beauchalets remained unanswered this week.