Guest allegedly finds hidden cameras inside bathroom outlets of Airbnb, police say
On July 20, a vacationers nightmare came true- when they found a camera hidden in a bathroom outlet in their Airbnb rental. (Source: WMTV)
By Tabitha Bland and Akim Powell
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV/Gray News) – Police are investigating an Airbnb rental after a guest said they found two cameras hidden in a bathroom outlet in Wisconsin.
According to a search warrant, the guest called police on July 20 after spotting what seemed to be a small camera embedded in an electrical outlet in the primary bedroom.
The guest discovered not one, but two cameras, each in a different bathroom, pointing at the toilet and shower area.
The small cameras were superglued to the back of the outlet plate, pointing through a small pinhole in the plastic, according to the criminal complaint.
Investigators wrote in the warrant that, based on training and experience, cameras placed in private areas such as bathrooms are often intended to capture individuals in a nude or private state without their knowledge.
That information quickly led past residents to wonder how long they have been hidden there.
Shanise Faust stayed at the rental last year, and immediately recognized the house when she heard about the news. She was there for a Bachelorette trip.
“I messaged my friend who was the bride and she confirmed it and we were just very shocked and worried like, ok, were they there when we were there?” said Faust.
The criminal complaint shows that the cameras contained SD cards and were connected to charging ports.
“There was a whole group of us there and it was over a weekend, so we were up late,” said Faust. “We were changing into different outfits and stuff, so I know like at some points there could have been anything that they got on camera.”
Now, police say they are investigating what is on the SD cards, as they continue the search for answers.
“So the kind of the things that detectives will be looking for are, were there any minors or juveniles on these cameras? Did the property owner put these images in a public space that maybe more people are viewing?” said Madison Police Department Public Information Officer Stephanie Fryer.
Officials are urging travelers to search their hotels and rentals for suspicious activities.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Airbnb said, “Hidden cameras have always been and will always be banned on Airbnb, and we take allegations of anyone violating this policy incredibly seriously. We suspended this host and listing from our platform and are assisting law enforcement in their ongoing investigation.”
If you have stayed at the rental property or have any information about the case, Madison police want you to call 608-255-2345 to report it.
No arrests have been made and no suspect has been identified. The investigation remains ongoing.
No hidden cameras found at B.C. Airbnb after guests’ complaint, RCMP say
Police sent sockets for lab analysis after agreeing outlets looked ‘suspicious’ statement says
CBC News · Posted: Jul 18, 2023 5:33 PM MST | Last Updated: July 19, 2023
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An investigation into reports of hidden cameras inside electrical outlets at an Airbnb on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast did not find any evidence of recording devices, RCMP say.
Police sent outlets from the rental in Gibsons, B.C., for lab analysis after agreeing with guests that the sockets looked “suspicious,” but said a forensic exam did not find anything.
“It was confirmed that they were in fact electrical outlets and did not contain cameras, lenses or any type of storage/recording devices,” they said in a statement.
“The [guests], the homeowner and Airbnb have all been notified of this finding.”
The update Tuesday ends an investigation that began after the guests’ weekend trip in March. The group phoned police after one woman said she found a camera inside a broken power outlet facing the shower in each of the home’s two bathrooms.
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The group contacted police a few days after checking out of the rental.
Sunshine Coast RCMP confirmed at the time that officers had launched an investigation, but did not provide further details until the statement on Tuesday.
CBC News has since reached out to RCMP for further comment asking how much time elapsed between when the incident was reported and when they searched and seized the outlets, and whether it’s possible cameras could have been removed in between.
CBC News also reviewed an alleged text exchange between one of the complainants and a police officer who wrote, “We got the cameras” on April 7. CBC News has asked police if they can confirm an officer prematurely told the complainants there were cameras in the unit.
Police have not responded to requests for comment as of Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Airbnb says it has lifted the suspension on the property owner.
“We’re thankful to the Sunshine Coast RCMP for their investigation, and our hope is that the guests are reassured by their findings. Following their investigation, we have also reinstated the Host,” said spokesperson Matt McNama in an e-mailed statement.
“Our stance remains firm – hidden cameras are prohibited on Airbnb, and issues of that nature on our platform are incredibly rare,” he wrote.
