Picture this: You’re all set for a cozy, Instagram-worthy glamping trip under the stars. But when you arrive, there’s no luxury dome or stunning view—just an empty field. Sounds like a bad joke, right? Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to dozens of people in North Yorkshire, England.
The Big Glamping Scam
Over the past six months, nearly 30 people have shown up at a random farm in Knayton, hoping to find their glamping getaway. Instead, they were greeted by confused locals and a whole lot of nothing. The ad they fell for showed fancy “Star Domes” with clear, bubble-shaped pods perfect for stargazing. At £99 a night, it seemed like a dream.
Julian Potter, the farmer whose land became the scam’s fake destination, told the BBC how heartbreaking it was to see families, even with kids, show up full of excitement—only to realize they’d been duped.
How It Fooled Everyone
The scam wasn’t amateur. It used flashy pictures (later revealed to be stolen from an Australian Airbnb), fake Trustpilot reviews, and even a believable booking calendar. The stolen images came from a real listing called “Asteria Bubble Retreats” in Victoria, Australia. The actual host, Tim, said he’s been trying to shut down these fraudsters, but they keep popping up.
One unlucky couple, Samantha Cook and her fiancé Ryan Swain, found out the hard way. They stopped at a local pub for directions, only to learn they’d been scammed. Samantha, who was pregnant at the time, admitted she burst into tears. “It felt so real. The pictures, the reviews—it all looked legit!” Luckily, their bank refunded the money.
What’s Being Done?
The fraudulent website has since been taken down, but not before scamming dozens. North Yorkshire Police and Action Fraud are investigating, but Julian Potter says there’s not much they can do to stop people from showing up. Even now, the bogus address still appears in Google searches.
Tips to Stay Safe
So how do you avoid falling for something like this? Travel experts say:
- Book directly through trusted travel agencies or well-known hotels.
- Always double-check the property online and confirm the address on Google Maps.
Next time you’re planning a trip, take an extra minute to verify everything. A little research can save you a lot of heartache—and maybe even a wasted trip to an empty field.