How to recognize fake real estate ads

In many German cities, the housing market is highly competitive. Criminals are also taking advantage of this by trying to steal money or data using fake apartments on the Internet. We will explain what you should pay particular attention to in advertisements and how you can recognize fake real estate ads.

Anyone looking for a new apartment these days is most likely looking on a real estate portal on the Internet. There are numerous advertisements there. Apartment seekers can also adapt their search to their own preferences.

However, not all apartments offered on ImmoScout24, Immowelt and others are actually genuine advertisements. Criminals are taking advantage of the competitive housing market in Germany and are trying to obtain their victims' data or money by advertising fake apartments on the Internet.

How to spot fake apartments on the Internet

Unfortunately, the saying “too good to be true” often holds true in the housing market. And this is exactly the point at which you should be suspicious when looking at an apartment online.

Because “behind the supposed dream property at a bargain price” there is rarely a trustworthy offer, as the NRW consumer advice center warns. Criminals try to get their victims' data by using a fake apartment. But cash payments are also in focus.

The advertisements usually feature properties with unusually low purchase and rental prices. These ads usually come with very attractive pictures that look like they're from a glossy brochure. However, these are usually photos from the Internet, for example from furniture store catalogs. You can quickly unmask such photos on the Internet using a reverse image search.

According to the NRW consumer advice center, fraud schemes on the housing market are becoming “more sophisticated and diverse.” We'll explain what you should pay particular attention to.

Beware of dubious demands for money

You should be especially careful with payments that you are asked to make in advance to your supposed new landlord. They often claim that they are currently abroad and want to send the key for the apartment viewing by post. An advance payment is then required as a deposit. Criminals often send the keys cash on delivery, whereby the victims have to pay a cash on delivery fee.

The NWR consumer advice center also warns against the so-called advance deposit. This involves the rental deposit being requested before the rental agreement is signed. If this is paid, the supposed landlord will most likely disappear into thin air.

You should also be careful if you are asked to pay a fee just to view the apartment, as this viewing will usually not take place at all.

Fake apartments on the Internet: Keep an eye on the data

According to the NRW Consumer Advice Center, phishing emails are also being sent more and more frequently in the name of real estate portals. Scammers try to get your login data via a link, and attachments can also contain malware.

You should also be careful if you are asked to send your ID card by email. If it falls into the hands of criminals, they can use your identity to conduct illegal transactions.

As with other phishing scams, you should also pay attention to spelling and grammar in such emails, as they are often sent by criminals from abroad who work with translation programs.

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