Cerco alloggio a breve termine a Monaco per uno stage. Ho ricevuto questa email da una persona. Attualmente vivo nei Paesi Bassi, quindi non ho molta idea di affittare in Germania. Il mio istinto dice che è una truffa. Cosa ne pensate?
PS per favore non commentare cose come “usa il buon senso” ecc. Se lo sapessi, non avrei bisogno di aiuto. Sii rispettoso.
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1i3hjje
di Double_Yam_8763
16 commenti
Most likely a scam
Yes it is unfortunate. Check `!housing`
#Scam
!housing
Scam. The ID photo sent is from another victim. Do not engage any further.
Scam!
Usually when the message contains “this is how it works” and asks you for a whole lot of information ahead (including your ID) – it’s a scam.
So, yes, this almost definitely a sacm.
Yes, anyone who says they cannot have themselves or an agent attend a viewing is a scammer. Anyone who says they want you to pay through [booking.com](http://booking.com), which is a hotel booking website, is a scammer. Frankly, anyone who speaks much English is probably a scammer.
“I cannot be there, this is how it works” is basically the reddest of red lights of scam
!housing
Read the section on scams there so you’re more aware of things to look out for.
Send us the booking.com link!
Red flags include:
1. Using Booking.com (which is a hotel booking service, not a proxy for showing apartments or an escrow service for landlords).
2. Not being available to meet you in person.
3. Offering you the apartment even before anything is agreed or they have met you.
3. Payment up front, before you have even viewed the apartment (much less agreed to rent it).
4. Showing you “their” ID card. It’s actually the ID card of one of their previous victims. The photo of your ID card or passport will be used in the same way to scam the next victim.
This is a classic scam, one that has been operating in multiple countries for many years now. In reality, it is extremely difficult even to get to view an apartment, and any genuine landlord will have a long list of applicants and will want to see all of them before making a decision on who to rent to.
General rule: stop reading once you find “I can’t come in person”
Thanks guys! I will not engage any further. And the search for housing continues 😭
As soon as they mention booking.com it’s a scam.
They try to lure you in because it’s a well known site. But booking does not do renting.
So yeah well known scam! Just google booking and renting and scam and you get enough warnings even official ones.
People have already posted the points I would have made, but to be absolutely clear, there is zero chance that that is a legitimate housing advertisement.
Trust your gut. If it seems off, don’t do it. I’d even report them.
The fact that they can’t meet you or send an agent is extremely fishy. That alone screams scam. I rented a place in Berlin and the guy was totally hands off but he at least had his housekeeper show me the place. If I want your money, I’m going to put in effort to make sure you’re satisfied.
The fact they’re asking for payment on an outside platform is definitely suspicious. You should certainly report it.