Cousins Admit to Short-Term Rental Scam Across Multiple States

Pair used fake addresses and double-booking to maximize profits on vacation rentals.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:34pm

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An extreme close-up of a crumpled short-term rental contract, the harsh lighting casting dramatic shadows and highlighting the document's worn, weathered texture, conceptually representing the shadowy world of vacation rental fraud.A scathing exposé of the deceptive practices plaguing the short-term rental industry, where unscrupulous operators exploit loopholes to maximize profits at the expense of unsuspecting travelers.Los Angeles Today

Two cousins, Shray Goel from Calabasas, California and Shaunik Raheja from Denver, Colorado, have pleaded guilty to running a nationwide short-term rental scam. The pair posted multiple listings for the same properties at varying rates, then lied to customers and canceled reservations to book the rentals to the highest bidder, sometimes using fake identities. They also created false negative reviews of customers who complained about their practices.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of fraud and deception in the short-term rental industry, which has seen a boom in recent years but also an increase in scams targeting unsuspecting travelers. It also raises concerns about the lack of oversight and accountability in the short-term rental market.

The details

According to the Department of Justice, Goel and Raheja carried out the scheme between October 2017 and November 2019, posting multiple listings for the same properties across several rental platforms and then renting to the highest bidder. When other customers had already booked the property, the cousins would lie to them, saying the rental was closed due to plumbing issues or other problems, and either cancel the reservation, convince the guest to cancel, or move them to a different short-term rental. The pair also used fake host names and identities, and were previously banned from a rental platform in 2015 after repeated cancellations and guest complaints. When guests complained about their practices, Goel and Raheja created false negative reviews of the customers before removing the listing and reposting it.

  • The cousins carried out the scheme between October 2017 and November 2019.
  • Goel and Raheja were banned from a rental platform in 2015 after repeated cancellations and guest complaints.

The players

Shray Goel

A 37-year-old resident of Calabasas, California who pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Shaunik Raheja

Goel's 36-year-old cousin from Denver, Colorado who pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice.

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What’s next

Goel and Raheja are scheduled for sentencing hearings later this year.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for greater regulation and oversight in the short-term rental market to protect consumers from fraudulent practices and hold bad actors accountable. It also highlights the importance of thorough research and verification when booking vacation rentals to avoid falling victim to scams.