There could be a scam behind your dream apartment abroad. Stay away if you have to make a payment without a visit that is supposedly managed by TripAdvisor, Airbnb or Booking.com. You lose your money and are left without a place to live. Our cooperation partners from the Watchlist Internet warn!

Found a cheap dream apartment abroad online? Caution!

Alex is doing a semester abroad in Spain and is looking for offers online. He finds a dream apartment on the Spanish housing platform “idealista.com” – furnished, centrally located, well-maintained and cheap.

MIMIKAMA
Criminals use photos of a dream apartment to try to get as many inquiries as possible. However, these photos were stolen from other platforms and websites. Image: Watchlist Internet

There is usually fraud behind tempting offers. You should be skeptical about prices below the usual market value!

Pay rent before the viewing? Hands off!

Alex is overwhelmed by the apartment and writes to the email address listed. He quickly receives an answer with further information and photos. The landlady “Ana Fernández” seems friendly and uncomplicated. She explains that she spends a lot of time abroad and therefore doesn't have time for countless viewing appointments and application processes. Therefore, she would like to commission TripAdvisor to handle the rental.  

“Hello,
My name is Ana Fernández, I work for a corporation and I travel most of the time, when I am not at home, my room and bathroom will be closed, most of the time you will live alone, you will be able to stay with one more person.
What can you tell me about yourself?
Where are you located now?
When do you want to move?

The rental price includes: water, electricity, heating and internet/TV expenses.
The apartment has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms: The two bedrooms have a double bed. The spacious living room with TV, the kitchen is fully equipped with all the necessary utensils for cooking.

In this link you have more photos: https://files.fm/u/fhm46f43s

The room is in high demand and I don't have time to meet a lot of people, last time I was home I met a couple who were interested but never showed up and it's not comfortable especially when you have work commitments. So I decided to do the process through Tripadvisor. – I will publish the property on Tripadvisor with a minimum rental period of 1 month. The rental contract must be made for a minimum of 1 month, up to 5 years.

– You will have to pay the first month of stay + 2 months of refundable deposit once the contract period ends to Tripadvisor to confirm your reservation. This deposit covers (1 month's rent + 2 months security deposit).

– After completing the online reservation on Tripadvisor, your deposit will be in their secure system. In case there is something you don't like, you can get a full refund the same day, but I assure you, the property is very nice and clean;

– Once you confirm the reservation on Tripadvisor, I will personally come to give you the keys and make the contract on the date of your move.

If you agree, I can send you the booking link, I need to have a picture of your passport or
student/work card or any ID to make sure you are a legitimate person and I am not wasting your time.

Thanks”

Email from the fraudulent landlady via Watchlist Internet

If Alex wanted the apartment, he would have to pay 3 months' rent in advance (2 for the deposit) before the viewing. The money goes to TripAdvisor. During the viewing he can then decide whether to take the apartment. If he doesn't want it, he gets the money back.

There is fraud behind this. If you pay, you will never hear a word from the landlord or landlady again. The fact that TripAdvisor acts as an intermediary is also fictitious. TripAdvisor doesn't even offer such a service!

Be careful if a copy of your ID is requested

This scam doesn't just aim to steal money from you. The criminals also demand a copy of their ID. The fraudsters use these to commit crimes in your name or to impersonate you in other fraud schemes.

Always watermark a copy of your ID card! Here are tips on how to make a watermark .

Recognize fraudulent apartment advertisements

  • Fraudulent advertisements also exist on reputable platforms.
  • A dream apartment in a top location, super cheap at that, is a scam.
  • Be careful if landlords don't have time for the viewing and are supposedly abroad.
  • You must make a payment before the viewing.
  • An external company will take care of viewing and managing your advance payment, usually called Booking.com, Airbnb, eBay or TripAdvisor. Attention: These companies do not offer escrow services and do not undertake viewings for landlords!

I made the transfer and sent a copy of my ID – what now?

  • Contact your bank. Perhaps the transfer can be stopped or retrieved. However, the chances of success are rather poor.
  • File a police report. If crimes are committed in your name, the authorities already know.
  • Search the Internet periodically. You may find unusual entries about yourself. At Saferinternet.at you will find tips on how best to look after yourself .

Source:

Watchlist Internet
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )