Airbnb guest says images were altered in false £12,000 damage claim
A London academic booked a Manhattan Airbnb for 2½ months but left early over safety fears. Her host then claimed over £12,000 in damages, submitting photos that appeared AI-manipulated to show a cracked coffee table and other damage. Airbnb initially demanded £5,314 from her, but after she appealed—and following Guardian inquiries—the company apologized, refunded nearly £4,300, removed a negative review and launched an internal review. The case highlights how easily AI tools can be misused to fabricate evidence in disputes.