When an Airbnb host in Virginia realized that a painting in one of her properties had been stolen and replaced, the internet came together to investigate the unlikely mystery.
Speaking to the Washington Post, the host, Amy Corbett, said she first noticed the swapped painting while conducting a Zoom meeting in the rental property. A black-and-white map that hung in the living room had been replaced by a multi-color painting of an airplane propeller.
“I just couldn’t believe this,” said Corbett. “It was bizarre.”
After searching the apartment for the missing painting, Corbett posted about the mystery on TikTok.
Surveillance video from Corbett’s rental showed the unnamed man carrying in the new painting shortly before his checkout time of 11am. Then, the same man, now in a blue hoodie, seemed to carry out Corbett’s painting, hidden under a blanket.
Corbett only had 60 followers but her video went viral. Thousands presented theories about “the Airbnb bandit”.
“I can’t wait to hear his story. The picture he left was nice, but seriously?” wrote one TikTok user.
“Maybe he’s the next Banksy. He checks in, paints a piece and switches out mass produced pieces for original,” said another.
Some suspected the guest may have broken the painting and decided to replace it, or damaged the wall.
Others thought the swap was part of a trend, several saying they had seen other Airbnb hosts reporting swapped paintings. Other users joked that they preferred the new painting.
Some facts were established. The guest did not damage the wall, Corbett said. Corbett also spoke to other hosts who had the same guest and learned he had not swapped art before. Ultimately, the situation was mediated by Airbnb, which paid Corbett $100 compensation.
“Art is covered in our AirCover policy and this host was supported through that process,” the company told the Post, adding that the guest has been removed from the platform.
The guest and Corbett spoke about the missing painting once. He paid her $20.
Corbett held a raffle to sell the substituted propeller painting, selling tickets for $2 each. The auction raised more than $1,500 for a local non-profit that addresses housing instability.
Despite the original painting staying missing, Corbett said she was happy with the outcome.
“It blew me away that out of this, we were able to do something good for humanity,” she said.
