Listings for three bizarre log cabin-style properties with forest views - which claimed to be located in central Manchester - have been removed from Airbnb.
Images advertising the three homes showed forest views and North American style log cabin architecture - despite claims that they were located in the city centre.
Those advertising Armando P. Engen House, Lauren J. Jones House and Rebecca H. Burke House listed the properties on the booking website at a cost of £730 per night.
But Airbnb bosses have now confirmed that the listings have been removed.
It comes just days after Trading Standards bosses warned tourists about a ‘sham’ website advertising a Manchester city centre hotel that doesn’t actually exist.
Council bosses said those who had set up the site for the pretend 235-room ‘Grand Pearl’ hotel prey on people who look to Manchester as a tourist destination, but who do not have local knowledge of the city.
Detailed information on the listings for the three Airbnb properties claimed that they were all located in the city centre. However all used images of wooden properties with forest views visible from the windows.
One listing claimed the property is ‘within a five minute walk of Manchester Piccadilly train station’, while another claimed to be just 300 metres from Canal Street.
In fact all three listings actually describe other legitimate hotels which already exist in Manchester - Motel One Manchester-Piccadilly, Staycity Aparthotels Manchester Piccadilly and The Midland.
The M.E.N has contacted The Midland, StayCity and Motel One for comment.
The listing for Rebecca H. Burke House even falsely claims to be home to prestigious restaurant The French.
Airbnb said the listings were removed as soon as they were made aware and bosses take strong steps to ensure the security and safety of customers.
Funds for a booking are held until 24 hours after a guest has checked into a listing, before being released to the host to ensure everything is ‘as it should be for both parties’.
A spokesperson said: “Fake or misrepresented listings have no place in our community and our teams work tirelessly on security tools, features and resources to stay ahead of fraudsters, strengthen our defences and educate hosts and guests about staying safe online.
“The most important thing to know is that as long as a user stays on the Airbnb platform and only communicates and pays via Airbnb, they will always be protected and scams cannot succeed.
"Over half a billion people have travelled on Airbnb to date and, with over 2 million guests checking into an Airbnb every night, issues are extremely rare.”
A spokesperson for The Midland Hotel said: “This listing has no affiliation with The Midland Hotel and we’re surprised to see our website copy being used to promote an Airbnb property purportedly in Manchester. We always advise our guests to book direct with us to ensure their booking is genuine.”
Earlier this week Manchester Trading Standards confirmed that they were investigating the website for ‘sham’ hotel ‘The Grand Pearl’.
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The site - which advertised a Manchester city centre hotel that doesn’t actually exist - claimed that the guesthouse boasted rooms of 'dynamic luxury', an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a glass-walled riverside restaurant and a penthouse suite complete with a baby grand piano.
Photographs posted on the ‘Rooms and Amenities’ section of the site - which no longer appears to work - showed luxurious hotel suites and bedrooms.
One room appeared to have a view of a palm tree and the ocean, while another showed a view of a cityscape similar to Tokyo. Rates were listed as starting at £185, according to the site.
The elaborate website claimed that the non-existent hotel is within minutes of ‘three of the City’s most famous and efficient hospitals’ and can host anything from weddings to Bar Mitzvahs.
