Sabah, Malaysia: A Chinese national woman recently shared a harrowing experience on the Chinese social media platform “Xiao Hongshu (小红书)” that has raised concerns about privacy and safety while traveling. During her honeymoon trip to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, she discovered hidden cameras in her Airbnb accommodation. This alarming incident has sparked a conversation about the safety of travelers in unfamiliar places and the need for vigilance.
The Shocking Discovery
The woman’s ordeal began in early September when she and her husband booked a homestay through Airbnb for their Sabah getaway. However, their excitement turned into astonishment when they stumbled upon hidden cameras strategically placed within their room. The discovery prompted immediate distress and fear.
Taking Swift Action
In response to the alarming discovery, the couple wasted no time and headed to the local police station to file a formal complaint. The woman recounted her experience, explaining that they arrived at Kota Kinabalu Airport at 2 AM on September 6th and reached their Airbnb accommodation at 3 AM. She asked her husband to check for hidden cameras, and to their astonishment, they discovered a modified camera at an electrical outlet across from the bed.
The camera’s clever concealment featured a circular hole in the middle of the outlet. Using a flashlight, they noticed a reflective surface, leading to the removal of the outlet panel and the shocking discovery of a small camera concealed within. The woman noted that her female friends didn’t even recognize it as a camera at first glance, highlighting the need for vigilance among travelers.
Communication Breakdown
Efforts to reach the homestay agent through Airbnb proved fruitless, leaving the couple uneasy as the camera directly faced their bed, making it impossible for them to undress or use the shower comfortably. The woman explained, “Ironically, when I contacted Airbnb to address this issue with the agent, there was no response. It remains unclear whether the agent didn’t know how to respond or had other reasons.”
In an attempt to maintain their privacy, her husband improvised by covering the camera lens with tissue and other items. However, the discomfort and anxiety lingered.
Reporting the Incident
Subsequently, the couple decided to check out and relocated to another hotel after lodging a complaint with the booking platform the following morning. To draw attention to her ordeal, the woman shared her experience on social media, which quickly garnered significant interest and support from fellow netizens who encouraged her to report the incident.
With the assistance of a fellow Chinese traveler, the couple successfully reported the incident to the local authorities on the following day. However, their pursuit of justice hit an unexpected roadblock when the police contacted the homestay agent. The agent accused the couple of attempting to avoid payment, leaving the woman frustrated and questioning whether the trouble was worth the RM 400 (approximately US$ 85.31) per night they had paid for the accommodation. Their dream honeymoon had been disrupted.
A Lesson in Vigilance
Despite these challenges, the woman alleged that the police had advised her to delete her initial social media post and had also visited the scene of the incident. Having since returned to China and received a refund from Airbnb, she posted a second update to remind the public of the importance of vigilance and safety while traveling.
Conclusion
This disturbing incident in Sabah, Malaysia, serves as a stark reminder of the need for travelers to remain vigilant about their safety and privacy. While the vast majority of accommodations are safe, occasional incidents like this highlight the importance of taking precautions and reporting any suspicious findings promptly.