Appartement-Rental-Scam

Rental Scam Mechanism via MoneyGram

1. Posting an Attractive Fake Listing
Scammers post online ads for apartments or shared accommodations at prices below market value, often using attractive photos stolen from real estate agency websites. The goal is to quickly attract as many applicants as possible.

2. Initial Contact and Reassuring Story
The fake landlord typically claims to be traveling or living abroad, which supposedly explains why an immediate visit isn’t possible. They insist on the need for a financial guarantee to avoid “no-shows” or to “reserve” the property.

3. Request for Money Transfer via MoneyGram
The scammer asks the victim to send money through MoneyGram, often under the pretext of a security deposit or reservation fee worth several thousands euros.

Sometimes, they suggest sending the money in the name of a friend or relative, supposedly just to prove the applicant’s solvency, while reassuring them that the money won’t actually be cashed. This gives the victim a false sense of security.

4. Sending Proof of Transfer
The victim is then asked to send a photo or scan of the MoneyGram receipt, which contains the withdrawal code. This code is all the scammer needs to collect the money, often using a fake ID or with the help of a complicit store clerk at a MoneyGram location.

5. Immediate Withdrawal and Disappearance
As soon as the scammer receives the proof, they withdraw the money-often in another country or with the help of local accomplices. The victim never receives the keys or gets to visit the property, and it is impossible to recover the money, as MoneyGram offers no guarantee or refund in these cases.

6. Variations and Additional Tricks

• Some scammers create fake websites or send fake emails to make the transaction look official and obtain the withdrawal code.

• They play on urgency, fear of missing out on a good deal, and the victim’s credulity, urging them to act quickly.

Key Takeaway:
Never send money via MoneyGram, Western Union, or wire transfer to a stranger, even if the transfer is made in the name of someone you know.

No legitimate landlord will ever ask for a deposit before a visit or before signing a lease.