Florence Italy- Air BNB Crime Ring

I am really sorry this happened to you.

But this does show that you should keep your passports with you, and not carry a lot of cash. In fact, I nowadays never have any cash on me anymore. CCs get you everywhere, and these aren't very useful for thieves either.

Obviously, I had to humble myself to admit our error in feeling too comfortable. We were not the first and certainly won't be the last. As I ended my post, " I WOULD BE REMISS TO NOT ENCOURAGE OTHER TRAVELERS TO NEVER LEAVE ANYTHING OF VALUE OR TO ASSUME THEY ARE SAFE".

Respectfully disagree on the cash needed for three weeks in Italy. Several Taxi's, boats and other places would ONLY accept cash. We had about 20% of our cash on us when our cash was stolen from the apartment. We were very blessed it was almost exactly enough to complete our trip. We came home with three or four euros.

Several Taxi's, boats and other places would ONLY accept cash.

But you do not need to carry such a wad of cash for these items. In Europe, I operate just like I operate in the States. When my wallet cash gets down to 50 EUR, I stop by an ATM and get another 200 or 300. I would assume when you paid for the rental on arrival, you tipped someone off that you were carrying a lot of cash, thus making it worthwhile to pull a heist.

So sorry to hear this. Did the police confirm that this was a crime ring that targets AirBnB places? If so you should report it to AirBnB.

I think the lesson here is that one should withdraw cash from ATM in smaller amounts as needed, instead of having that many €€€ all at once. We take 200€ at a time and often that is enough for the trip.

So sorry to hear about your trouble. :O(
Question: did you have a safe in your rental, and were you using it?

But Sam, this was though AirBnB so the apartment would have been fully paid before arrival. If the “super host” asked them to pay cash on arrival that would be a red flag and a violation of AirBnB policy.

I’m so sad to hear this. I am happy you went on to enjoy the rest of your holiday.
As a side note-Italy passed a law that anyone providing a service whether it’s a taxi, boat ride, restaurant, etc. must accept CC’s as payment. Hopefully, Roberto da Firenze will read this and chime in as he was the first to post the information. He can provide the correct info if I’m mistaken. That being said, some accept CC’s but only if they are attached to an Italian bank. Asking for payment in cash appears to be a way to get around paying taxes for services delivered! Quite sure that does not only happen in Italy.

Another example of why one should not leave valuables in the room or safe. Just my opinion.

And another reason we don’t use AirB&B.

AirBnB is fine. I have used it often, and we are hosting ourselves...

I am sorry this happened to you, but good for you for not letting it ruin your vacation.

What was the response AirBnB and the Host after you reported this to them?

I hope the OP returns to answer how AirBnB responded, as this should be reported to them. And could be mentioned in their review of the apartment, which will some attention from the hosts.

I did a search on Google and did find Florence apartments listed on AirBnB by Edoardo and Michela. It says they have 341 apartments listed, but it does not says they are designated Superhosts. Rather, Edoardo is an “experienced” host. They are listed as “Romanticism at the Uffizi”, “Stunning Ponte Vecchio”and others.

Just another reason why we rent our Venice apartments from a reputable Venetian agency,

And I hope the OP does not take the comments about how much cash they had as criticism or blame. It is important to say in order to keep others from making the same mistake, but there is no lack of sympathy for their misfortune.

I often use Airbnb and will continue to use.
A bad experience,which I'm sure was very stressful is only one data point.
I do select my Airbnb's very carefully. In addition to reading every review, I check to see if the host has other properties. Having multiple properties would eliminate that host for me.
I also typically stay in a property in which the host also lives. Two advantages to this, the neighborhood of the host is not changed in a significant way, that's important to me.
Second advantage, I have had wonderful experiences with many of the hosts, and someone is on site if I have questions or concerns.

So, we know the hosts were the criminals? I doubt they own 300, I suspect it's a management company.

Barbara, so hotel rooms are never robbed? Good to know.

If it had a safe, mgmt has a key. I might also, as I own a number of those and oddly I have 1 key that fits two purchased at different times.

And apparently the OP joined to make one revenge post. Silisoect you can grind it on TA too. Doubt they are coming back.

Mr. E, Not sure about hotel rooms, don’t see too many posts about them being robbed.
There are numerous reasons we don’t use AirB&B besides the damage it causes in neighborhoods where people can’t rent an apartment cause they are being used for tourists. We stay in hotels for the sheer pleasure, the amenities, being able to ask for recommendations, to call taxis, etc. When traveling I want to be pampered, not making my own bed or cooking my own food or doing my own laundry.
As mentioned here numerous times, everyone has their own way of traveling and their own budget and their own opinions.

I too would be very wary of having that much cash. Even if I thought I needed that much - which I never have on any of my trips to Europe - I would do as others in this thread say and take it out in smaller amounts.

I too would like to know more about the crime ring - was that confirmed by the police and or Air BnB? What if anything has Air BnB communicated to you about your hosts? What did your hosts say when you reported this theft to them? That seems like pretty vital information to this story.

And lastly I am flummoxed about the scripture. The thieves left scripture verses for you? You had scriptures on pieces of paper in your bags and the thieves moved them? I admit I can't follow that part of your story at all.

I'm glad you were able to enjoy the rest of your trip. Florence is a beautiful city and sounds like you made the best of it.

besides the damage it causes in neighborhoods where people can’t rent
an apartment cause they are being used for tourists

Which neighborhood would that be? Ot is that uniform across the world?

One study says about 34 larcenies and thefts per 1,000 hotel rooms each year (US, and I am certain a place like Barcelona would be less). Since I have absolutely no idea of the statistics and facts concerning short term rentals or hotels I pass no judgment of which is safer. Even then it would mean little unless you broke it down by zip code or hotel class. It is impossible to evaluate for the common person.

That aside, I prefer hotels.

Interesting the title says AirBnb Crime ring? But nothing about who the police think did it. The OP didn't say the hosts were accused, just that a third party told her they were wealthy enough to own 300 apartments. If I believed it I suspect it's $100 million or more in real-estate and I doubt they would be pilfering from the guests. So where us the crime ring?

I believe it is uniform in many cities. Here in NY new laws have been passed stating that short-term rentals hosts must register with the city and only those who live in the place they are renting and are there when the renter is, can register. Also, you can only have 2 guests at a time.
And in Dubrovnik the new Mayor is cracking down and actually cutting back the AirB&B by 10%. His reasoning is that many of the young people who were born and grew up in Dubrovnik cannot afford to live there any longer. And he wasn’t just talking about the Old Town.

Barbara, interesting.

There are situations in parts of some cities where you are absolutely correct. There are situations in parts of some cities where you could not be more wrong.

Any worldwide generalization by its very nature is naive. .

Since AirB&B is not an option for me, a similar situation is would I leave my Passport in the hotel room as well as a lot of cash, say 200-300 Euro. Admittedly, I did do exactly that in the past that but never in Italy. The most recent trips pre-pandemic I had the passport on me as well as all 3 credit cards and cash. Getting picked carrying the passport is not going to happen.