Fake rental ads: how not to pay for a flat that does not exist
A cheap flat in a good area, the owner is "abroad", and only a deposit is needed. We explain the most common rental scams and the signs that show them right away.
Rentals are one of the favourite topics for scammers. People look for housing in a hurry, especially before the school year or after moving to another country, and they are ready to pay quickly so they "do not miss the chance".
How it usually happens
You find an ad: a nice flat, photos like in a magazine, a price much lower than similar flats nearby. You write to the "owner", and he answers quickly, but he cannot show you the flat right now: he is on a business trip, abroad, or "there are a lot of people interested". To reserve the flat, he asks you to send a deposit or the first month's rent to a card. After you pay, the person disappears, and the ad appears again under another name.
Common versions of the scam
- "The owner is abroad". They promise to send the keys by courier after you pay. No courier will come.
- A payment link "through the website". They move the conversation to a messenger app and send you a link to a "safe deal". The page looks like a well-known classifieds website, but the address is different by one letter. Your money and card details go to the scammers.
- One day, many tenants. The scammer rents a flat for one day, shows it to several people and takes a deposit from each of them. The next day he disappears.
- A fake agency. They charge a fee for "access to the database" or for signing a contract, and then offer flats that do not exist or do not fit your needs.
- Collecting your data. They ask for a photo of your passport and your card details "for verification". Later this data is used to take out loans or for other scams.
Signs of a scam
- the price is 30–50% lower than for similar flats nearby;
- you cannot see the flat before paying;
- they rush you: "it will be gone tomorrow", "three more people want it";
- they move the conversation from the website to a messenger app;
- they send you a payment link instead of letting you pay on the website itself;
- the owner's profile is new and has no reviews;
- they ask for a transfer to a private person's card, not a payment under a contract.
How to rent safely
- See the flat in person or on a live video call. Ask them to show the view from the window and the building entrance.
- Check that the person really is the owner: ask for the property documents and compare the name with their passport.
- Pay only after you sign a contract, preferably by bank transfer with a payment reference.
- Do not open payment links sent in private messages. If the platform offers a safe deal, use it only inside the website or app itself.
- Check the photos with a reverse image search: they are often taken from other people's ads.
- Search for the "owner's" phone number and name in our [registry](/).
If you have already sent money
Call your bank at once and ask them to stop the payment. Save the messages and the ad, and report it to the police. A detailed plan is in the article "What to do if you have already sent money to scammers". And add a report to the registry so that the next person sees the warning.