A showroom is mistaken for a holiday scam
A video showing what appeared to be a mock apartment had viewers believing they were witnessing a new holiday scam.
Holiday scam or innovative showroom?
A video circulating on social media sparked suspicion, as viewers believed tourists were being scammed. In the footage, foreign visitors stand inside a beautifully furnished room, admiring what appears to be a stunning ocean view from the balcony.
However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the “ocean view” is actually wallpaper designed to create the illusion of an ocean-front room.
One man checks the property’s online listing on his phone, laughs when he sees the advertised ocean view and turns to the woman showing them around – who, it turns out, works for TH Group.
A quick Google search reveals that TH Group is a property development company, suggesting that the video might have been misunderstood.
Initially, it seemed like a classic holiday scam: tourists expecting a room with an ocean view, only to discover they'd been deceived by a fake backdrop.
However, that wasn't the case. The TripZilla page on Instagram page shared the video, suggesting it might be a holiday scam, but commenters quickly corrected the misunderstanding.
"This is a showhouse. Show unit. They have it to show how an actual unit would look like when they are ready. Haven't you guys ever been to one? They make it all fancy and nice to lure people to buy. The real unit is bare. The actual location might be overlooking the sea."
"This is a show flat for a property development. The one you buy (if it ever gets built) will have a real sea view. This is common practice when buying a unit off plan."
"That’s a misleading post… this is a showroom for a new apartment. I’ve been to many such new projects where they will demonstrate what the view from the apartment could look like. This is NOT a SCAM!"
Check out the video below – courtesy of Instagram.
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Image courtesy of Instagram