Rental scams have become increasingly common across India, with scammers exploiting technology and emotional pressure to cheat unsuspecting tenants and landlords. In one recent incident, a tenant lost ₹35,000 as “flat visiting charges.” Several similar cases highlight the urgent need to stay alert.
Here’s how these frauds typically happen, the red flags to look out for, and how you can protect yourself.
Contents
- Fake tenants posing as government officials
- Fake real estate agents or landlords
- Recent cases of rental fraud
- How to identify a fake landlord/tenant
- How to avoid rental scams
- FAQs
1. Fake tenants posing as government officials
Fraudsters pretending to be army officers, senior government employees or defence personnel approach property owners with an emotional backstory—usually involving an emergency transfer.
They often:
- Claim to need the property immediately and for their family
- Offer to pay rent and security deposit in advance
- Share forged documents
- Avoid in-person visits and insist on completing everything online
Once trust is built, they manipulate the landlord into clicking a fake payment link or scanning a QR code.
When the victim interacts with the link, large sums are instantly withdrawn.
In other cases, scammers convince the owner to “verify account details” by sending money first—promising to reimburse double later.
After the transfer is made, the scammer disappears.
2. Fake real estate agents or landlords
This scam targets tenants looking for rental accommodation. Fraudsters pose as agents or owners—often claiming to be defence personnel or working abroad.
Common tactics include:
- Offering rent much lower than market value
- Refusing to share actual pictures or videos
- Charging “site visit fees” or “token advance” before showing the property
- Persuading tenants to finalise everything online
- Asking for further payments for things like painting or house preparation
Once payment is made, the scammer stops responding.
3. Recent cases of rental fraud
Here are two examples that highlight how victims are tricked:
- A tenant in Noida’s Sector 62 lost ₹35,000 as “flat visiting fees.”
- A Mumbai landlord was duped of ₹3.5 lakh by a person claiming to be an Army officer. The scammer convinced her to transfer money multiple times, offering double returns.
4. How to identify a fake landlord or tenant
While scams can vary, the following warning signs appear in almost all cases:
- Avoiding property visits or refusing to meet in person
- Rushing the process and creating urgency
- Pushing for online payments from the beginning
- Offering rent far below market rates
- Asking you to click on suspicious payment links
- Showing no interest in paperwork or verification
- Claiming they will pay a huge security deposit immediately
Trust your instincts—if something feels off, pause the conversation.
5. How to avoid rental frauds
Even the most educated, experienced people can fall for scams. To stay safe:
- Always meet the person face-to-face
- Visit the property physically—never finalise deals based on photos
- Read and verify all documents, preferably with legal help
- Do not click on links or QR codes sent by strangers
- Avoid UPI/wallet payments; use verified bank transactions only
- Compare prices with market rates to detect unusually low rent
- Speak to previous tenants or neighbours
- Report suspicious activity immediately to cybercrime authorities
Being cautious, patient, and informed is your best protection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, but it depends on how quickly you act. Immediately file a complaint with the local police and register a case on the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or its official website. Banks can sometimes freeze fraudulent transactions if reported early.
Yes. Always check whether the agent is registered with RERA. Request their RERA ID, verify it online, ask for office details, and avoid agents who push for quick payments or avoid showing the property.
You can:
- Speak to current residents and neighbours
- Search online reviews of the area
- Check crime records through local police websites
- Visit the neighbourhood at different times of the day
- Compare rents on trusted property portals like Infinity Housing
