New scam: Financial expert warns against viewing apartments using key safes

New scam: Financial expert warns against viewing apartments using key safes

According to a report by www.merkur.de, a new real estate scam has emerged in which apartment hunters gain access to apartments to be viewed via a key safe. This is a sophisticated scam in which the advertised rental properties actually exist, but are re-rented by the fraudsters without authorization. The consumer advice center warns of this new danger, which is particularly common in Hamburg, but is also possible elsewhere.

The fraudsters operate by placing fake rental advertisements on real estate portals and communicating with interested parties via email. They will then receive the location of a key safe so that they can view the apartment independently. Potential tenants are then asked to sign a rental agreement and to transfer large amounts of money for deposits, rent and sometimes even furniture.

Those affected reported losses amounting to several thousand euros after falling for this scam. The advertised apartments are actually occupied and are being re-rented by the fraudsters without authorization.

The Hamburg consumer advice center advises you to be very careful when looking for an apartment on the Internet, especially when it comes to offers that offer a viewing without the presence of an agent or landlord. In addition, no payments should be made in advance before the authenticity of the offer has been verified. This scam highlights the need for caution and careful research when looking for an apartment to avoid financial loss.