Money laundry scheme?
I booked a last-minute supercheap hotel in Berlin for a night with a lover. 50 euros of a 120 euro room. After booking, I got cold feet, so I Googled the company and called the hotel. My booking at the hotel existed, but the hotel staff shared a very interesting story. The hotel received the booking by phone. Someone called on a very bad line, claiming to be an agent of mine. They gave several credit card numbers, but most were rejected. Then different people kept calling the hotel back to confirm the booking, all claiming to be my agent. Eventually, when I get to the hotel, everything works fine. And I got my cheap room, but I wonder. Is this a money laundering scheme for stolen credit cards? I'm surprised that the hotel accepted a card with a name other than mine. Maybe this is common? Anyhow, this company is dodgy AF. I'll stay away from them in the future.