Lay My Hat

This came through in my TA dashboard. I have masked the name in case its genuine - but it feels odd. Note the opening phraseology.
The TA enquiry form specified a week in April - being the next available slot in my calendar which enabled him to find me on TA, but note he is asking for availability in June/July.

"My name is Wwwwww Ffffff, I work as a chemist in Hamburg. This summer holiday I want to organize an escape in Algarve for my family.
I tried to make a booking, but it seems that I have some problems seeing the calendar. Also I can't even open my messages here. I don't know why, maybe because I am using my phone.
The problem is that I don't have access at a computer for a few days, and I need to know until tomorrow evening if you have 7-10 days available in June or July, to make some work related arrangements.
If you are using air bnb, I can make the booking there, as I see I don't have any problems on their platform. Could you please write me at my personal address if you have availability, and air bnb link.
My address is:
WwwwwFffff(at)chemist.com

Again, I can't even read any messages here, it would be very helful if you write me at my personal address.
Hoping you receive this message."

Also, amazingly, his email address did get through the TA filters, so I am replying to that address - just to see.

What do you think ?

I saw this (or something VERY similar) reported on one of the facebook owners groups yesterday, possibly a French one. Sorry, I can't check out where at the moment. Looks like scam to me.


ETA: OK, found it. Its exactly the same as yours except that in the one I saw its Franz Keller who works as a financial consultant in Munich and wants to organize an escape in South France for his family.

The email he wants a reply to is FranzKeller(at)consultant.com

If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck then its probably a duck.

When I posted the question late last night after a nice glass (or 2) of vintage red wine, it all felt odd.

In the cold light of day and reinforced by the answers above I am now convinced its scam, so quite happy to post his name: Walter Frost.

So you’ll be giving him the cold shoulder then, Richard? 😃

i received something very similar (just another name, the guest was a lady from Germany) 2 days ago, from tripadvisor...
I send her a reply, asking the number of guests... No answers.
this morning tripadvisor sent me a warning message about this "suspicious email", most likely a scam.

Probably a scam trying to get access to your mailbox. Once you write to your mail address from your mail address, they usually send you a (fake) link, saying they cannot locate the property, and then a page asking your login details opens

WARNING!!
a fake airbnb email just arrived.
It said that my account has been blocked and that I need to click a link
NEVER CLICK on it! it's not Airbnb...

(Of course, i verified and my account was normal and safe Wink)

I'm pretty sure they kept my email from my reply (see my prevoius message, i was contacted by a german lady that asked my airbnb link)
_________________
https://lubagnuvacanze.com/

...and i don't know how to notice it to official airbnb site.