Two cousins pleaded guilty this week to running a years-long scheme that exploited Airbnb and other rental platforms, using double-booking tactics to maximize profits at the expense of unsuspecting travelers. Shray Goel, 36, and Shaunik Raheja, 37, entered their pleas on April 14 in federal court in Los Angeles, admitting to their roles in the fraud operation.

According to prosecutors, the pair listed the same properties across multiple platforms, including Airbnb and Vrbo, then canceled lower-paying bookings at the last minute. Guests were often told of sudden maintenance issues or other excuses, while the defendants kept higher-paying reservations. The operation relied on fake host identities and profiles, sometimes posing as couples, to avoid detection.

Authorities say the scheme stretched across cities including Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Austin. Prosecutors alleged the operation generated more than $8.5 million and affected over 10,000 reservation. The indictment also claimed the defendants disproportionately targeted guests they believed to be Black, an allegation not included in the charges they admitted.

The case followed a federal investigation involving the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with cooperation from Airbnb. “Airbnb is built on trust, and bad actors have no place in our community,” a company spokesperson said. Prosecutors noted that one platform had already banned the pair years earlier, but they continued operating using fake accounts.

Goel pleaded guilty to wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison, while Raheja pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for lying to investigators and faces up to 10 years. Sentencing is scheduled for August and September 2026.