"Real Estate Duo Indicted in $8.5M Nationwide Airbnb, Vrbo Scam"

Denver resident Shaunik Raheja and Miami resident Shray Goel have been indicted on federal fraud charges for orchestrating an $8.5 million vacation rental scam on Airbnb and Vrbo. The scheme involved double-booking properties, providing inferior accommodations, and discriminating against guests based on race. The fraudulent activities spanned across 10 states, involving over 10,000 reservations and nearly 100 properties. The defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and multiple counts of wire fraud, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison. Additionally, Goel faces charges of aggravated identity theft. The FBI and other agencies are leading the investigation, while Airbnb has taken steps to combat such fraud with AI and identity verification measures.