Citysurfing is a website where tourists and travelers hire locals for gigs in various categories.

One of the main categories is Photographers, but the other popular categories include but are not limited to Activity Partner, Tour Guide, and Relocation Specialist. 

They don't charge for listing yourself in any of the categories, but they do charge a $20-60 fee if you want to be verified.

Last year I signed up as a photographer, at that time there were 3 'clients' that were looking to hire a photographer here in Las Vegas. The photos of the 'clients' were suspicious, they looked like professionally done photos of models that you'd find on a stock image site. 

When I signed up for the service I got 'verified' and contacted the three people looking for a photographer. They just so happened to be attractive females.

After a week or two I finally got replies from two of the 'clients'.  They said they're interested in hiring me and will get back with me by a certain date in November.  The third one told me she already booked someone but will book me if and when she returns.  Afterwards I never heard back from any of them nor did I didn't get any more gig requests from anyone else..

Being the suspicious person that I am, I created a second account using an alias.  I didn't get this account verified for two reasons, one is I couldn't (it's an alias) and the second is I wasn't gonna give them another twenty bucks.

This morning I got three messages emailed to me from Citysurfing.  Two were from the same guy in Boston, the third was from a middle aged female in Pittsburgh.  The three messages were almost identical to each other, and to the original three messages I received in my legitimate account. Most mentioning they're coming to LV for a poker tournament, or their partner is going to be in a poker tournament and they need to hire me so they'll have something to do while their partner is in the tourney. 

Citysurfing wrote:
Hi there,

David is interested in receiving a quote for your service listed on Citysurfing. Please review the job details and send a personalized offer as soon as possible. Here are the details:

Service Needed & Location
Local Guide — Las Vegas, Nevada

Message
Hi. Coming to Vegas. I've been there once about a decade ago. I don't remember much. I'm going to play in a poker tournament and I'm looking for someone to show me around for a day and maybe 2. Maybe explore the strip; show me what's new, and take some nice photos. I don't have any special needs or food requirements. I'm staying at the Bellagio so we can meet there. My budget is around $350 for 5-6 hours. Thanks.

Details
Where are you arriving from? Boston, MA

Is this request for an exact date or is the meeting flexible? Exact
Which date(s)? Feb 10, 2024

How many people will participate? Just Me
What is your maximum budget? $350
For how many hours? 5-6 hrs

Contact David

Have a wonderful day.

The Citysurfing Team

Ironically, my legitimate 'verified' account didn't receive such messages.
When I tried to respond to the new requests from my alias account, I was told that the sender only accepts quotes from Verified accounts, and got a link to pay the fee and get verified.

Interesting.  My verified accounts DON'T get gig requests, but I get several gig requests in my unverified alias account.
It seems Citysurfing is using fake clients and is simply looking to make money by charging people to get verified.

Does anyone have any positive experience with Citysurfing.com that will prove my suspicions as wrong?

Ha!
I finally got proof that Citysurfing.com is a SCAM!

One of the older messages that my alias account received from "Adam" in South Carolina included an image which I found was Gottfried N. (full name not revealed here to protect his privacy) in Germany!

DON'T SIGN UP FOR CITYSURFING.COM!

Thanks for the warning!

Agreed - thanks for the heads-up.  Will the scams ever end??
CheeZ, you lead an interesting life.