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Gardaí have highlighted several common types of accommodation fraud, where individuals are duped into paying for rental properties that either do not exist, are already occupied, or are otherwise unavailable. Some typical examples include:

• Fraudsters claiming to be abroad and requiring a deposit before showing the property.
• Fraudsters living in the property, showing it to multiple potential renters, taking deposits, and then disappearing.
• The rental transaction appears legitimate until the victim discovers the property is nonexistent, occupied, or the keys do not work.

Additionally, reservation fraud has been reported, where victims pay for hotel or guesthouse bookings only to find that the booking was never made, or the property does not exist.

Red Flags to Watch For

The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) has provided a list of warning signs for rental scams, which include:

• Deals that seem too good to be true, especially in urban areas.
• Listings advertised solely through social media, or communications limited to platforms like Messenger or WhatsApp.
• A sense of urgency or pressure to accept a “one-time offer.”
• Listings with grammar or spelling errors, vague details, or few pictures.
• Landlords who refuse to meet in person to show the property.
• Requests for immediate payment before signing a lease, often in cash, cryptocurrency, or via non-bank transfers.
• Bank accounts located in foreign countries.

Safety Advice for Prospective Renters

Gardaí advise those seeking accommodation to conduct thorough research and only use recognised letting agencies or trusted contacts such as college student unions. Renters should verify the legitimacy of websites, ensure they know their consumer rights, and use trusted payment methods like credit cards. It’s also recommended to meet landlords in person, verify property details, and ensure keys are functional before making any payments.

Recent Case Studies

In July 2024 alone, Gardaí reported 12 cases of rental fraud, resulting in a total loss of €20,746, with individual losses ranging from €380 to €3,685. Most of these victims were based in Ireland and were targeted through social media or online advertisements.

Gardaí urge anyone who believes they have been a victim of rental fraud to report the incident immediately and contact their bank to request a recall of any payments made.