A "sea view" that translates into seeing a view
Now this is an inventive way to ensure your guests have a sea view without the "sea".
Can you imagine arriving at a holiday accommodation, only to realise you've been scammed after already paying?
Holiday scams are like the catfishing of travel. You picture the perfect getaway, only to be met with something completely different upon arrival.
That’s why thorough research is essential before booking (and paying for) accommodation.
A video circulating online has people questioning just how far some will go to deceive tourists. However, it's worth noting that things may not always be as they seem.
A video shared by TripZilla India, a travel company that provides news, stories, guides, and inspiration, has sparked curiosity online.
The footage shows a group of tourists inside what appears to be their accommodation. As they speak to one another in a foreign language, one of them pulls out his phone, revealing the listing photos they originally saw online.
The images depict a beautiful room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. However, the reality seems to be quite different.
While the exact location is unclear, the woman escorting them is wearing a T-shirt with "TH Group" printed on it.
Given this and the confusion surrounding the video, it’s likely that TH Group is a property development company rather than part of a holiday scam.
Check out the video below – courtesy of Instagram.
READ MORE: KZN mom, daughter sought for R6m scam
The TripZilla page, along with many others, initially believed these tourists had fallen victim to a holiday scam.
But according to other sources, this wasn’t a case of false advertising – it was actually a mock condo, a staged unit designed to showcase what the finished accommodation would look like for potential buyers.
TripZilla later apologised for the misunderstanding, admitting they had never encountered something like this before.
"This is a showhouse. Show unit. They have it to show how an actual unit would look like when they are ready. Haven't you guys ever been to one? They make it all fancy and nice to lure people to buy. The real unit is bare. The actual location might be overlooking the sea."
"This is a show flat for a property development. The one you buy (if it ever gets built) will have a real sea view. This is common practice when buying a unit off plan."
"That’s a misleading post…this is a showroom for a new apartment. I’ve been to many such new projects where they will demonstrate what the view from the apartment could look like. This is NOT a SCAM!"
This situation highlights just how easily things can be misconstrued on social media when context is missing.
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Image courtesy of Instagram