Not sure if this is the right forum for this but: Has anyone else come across an apparent dungeon scam? I made contact with someone an a bdsm dating site and she suggested a particular dungeon for a session. I emailed them, they sent pictures. But no website, and a USD PayPal account - I’m in Ireland. When I asked if I could visit to check out the facilities they wanted payment first. Scam, no? Why would a legitimate business not accommodate someone calling in? They’re all “first pay the money then we’ll send you a form then you can come over”.
The laws about this are so different from area to area that it is hard to comment. But if it sounds like a scam it probably is. One caveat, if they are asking for a small about of money as a sorry of protective wall. Let's say they are asking for 20 dollars. That makes people commit and prove interest as a way of protecting themselves. In that case you have to ask yourself, if I lose 20 dollars do I really care? Is the risk with it for me? PayPal offers a lot of protections and ways to get your money back. Most scams all for direct access to a bank account or card so they can charge more than you sent... I guess the real question is; are you willing to take the risk?
Sounds along the lines of the nigerian prince scams. If it sounds like a scam it usually is. Money up front for any product without proof of said product tends not to end well.
You're assuming that there even is a dungeon for you to visit. Very likely there isn't. Have you done a google reverse image search to find where they borrowed the images from?
Oh, I’m certain there isn’t. I didn’t bother doing a reverse image search, but any business that would turn down €480 rather than accommodate a site visit is bullshit all the way.
Definitely a scam and seen it before, many years ago now though, there was supposedly a very well equipped dungeon for hire just off a well known city centre from us. But they wanted payment in full before they would give you the address! And They had lots of anonymous 5 star reviews on the website to! Both of which they insisted was to maintain privacy of there patrons! So we gave it a miss.