Here is Canada it seems identity thieves are using AirBnB to steal homes. Probably not specific to AirBnB though.
>Police allege MacDougall used a fake name to rent a home on an online short-term rental app and obtained the homeowner's identity information while inside. According to police, MacDougall then allegedly used that information to impersonate the homeowner and secure a mortgage from a private lender, making away with the proceeds.
Sadly, this offence seems easiest to pull off in airbnbs that are genuine home-sharing where you are renting from an actual resident that is away for short periods of time (or just relocates with family during bookings), rather than pure “buy-to-airbnb” properties with better security and that kind of documentation wouldn’t be present.
The former group effectively improves local housing affordability by decreasing the latter or pushing developers towards residential construction instead of hotel construction.
>Police allege MacDougall used a fake name to rent a home on an online short-term rental app and obtained the homeowner's identity information while inside. According to police, MacDougall then allegedly used that information to impersonate the homeowner and secure a mortgage from a private lender, making away with the proceeds.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/short-term-rental-mor...