This happens more or less around the globe in the places they know bookings might start getting rare because of events. Then its when they attack and create fake bookings that people desperately fell on.
Either way, they lost... with me at least. And I was able to collect some email addresses and paypal traceable's for the authorities to pursue.
And this is valid for ANY kind of booking platform, not just booking.com, so stay sharp, especially when you are having a hard time booking something.