One of the illegal Airbnb rental vans was removed by authorities in Manhattan. NY Sheriff's Office
New York police claimed they have seized seven illegal vans that were advertised as Airbnb holiday rentals for cheap.
Tourists could experience "glamping" in vans for as low as $100 per night.
According to one customer, the NY Post was made aware by the NY Post that the van he stayed at was "smelly" as well as "awful" by him.
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Police seized seven vans that were illegally documented and advertised as low-cost rentals for at most two years.
NYC Sheriff's Department posted the news via Twitter. It stated that its road patrol officers had been busy seizing the vehicles found on different streets in Manhattan.
The New York Post reported the vans were being advertised by Airbnb at $100 per night and were marketed as a cheap way to see the city.
The van rentals advertised as a private room that could sleep up to three people. You can camp in a large camper van in NYC! One read.
Fox Business reported that a traffic officer discovered that five vehicles parked in East Village had expired registrations and number plates. Some of the plates date back to 2000.
Sheriff Joseph Fucito of the NYPD Document Fraud Unit reported that authorities had discovered an "operation involving alleged fraudulently registered vehicles being used for Airbnb rentals on various Manhattan streets," Sheriff Joseph Fucito told The Post.
According to authorities, the cars were confiscated. Insider reached out to Airbnb for comment but they did not immediately reply.
Uptin Saiidi is a California-based journalist who also creates videos. He said that he was convinced by the "glamping experience" which offers him the "#VanLife experience for only $97. However, he had several concerns after his visit.
The van's key, which had been left in a lockbox at the vehicle's door, was not able to start the engine, he told the Post. He also stated that the van had a parking ticket at the time he arrived.
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Saiidi described the experience as "awful" & "smelly." "You can see people outside talking and driving all night, and there are cars parallel parking next to you."
The ongoing investigation is still in progress and the owners of the vans have not been identified.
Business Insider has the original article.
