Rental & Real Estate Scam: How It Works and How to Recover
Fake rental listings and property deposits taken by fraudsters who don't control the property. Also known as deposit scam, fake landlord.
Free case assessmentHow the fraud works
Rental and property scams list homes the fraudster does not control, then demand a deposit or first month's rent — often by wire — to 'hold' the property, before disappearing. Listings are usually copied from genuine ads.
Warning signs
- A landlord who is 'abroad' and can't show the property
- Pressure to pay a deposit to 'reserve' it
- Rent well below the market
- Payment by wire or crypto only
- Reluctance to meet or sign in person
Evidence to preserve
If you have been affected, gather:
- The listing and platform URL
- Deposit payment record and recipient details
- All messages with the 'landlord' or 'agent'
- Any 'contract' that was sent
- The photos used in the advert
How victims recover funds
The primary recovery route is wire / swift recovery. An international wire recovery uses a recall message from your bank and, where needed, correspondent banks and the beneficiary bank's fraud team to freeze and return the funds.
Wired deposits should be reported to your bank for a recall and fraud complaint; acting within hours improves the odds of an intercept.
Rental & Real Estate Scam recovery by country
Select your country for the local regulator, ombudsman and recovery routes: