A recent case from the Dietlindenstraße in Schwabing shows how quickly hope can turn into deception: a furnished apartment, bright, roughly 80 square meters, fair price – an offer that seems trustworthy at first glance. The photos show freshly painted walls, modern furniture, and a balcony with a view of greenery.
However, when the supposed landlady suddenly requests a copy of the prospective tenant’s ID and refers to an “agency in London,” the impression sours. The interested party becomes suspicious – and rightfully so. This case involves a scam all too familiar to the Munich police.
Consumer Advocates Receive Numerous Complaints from Munich
According to the Munich police headquarters, the described scam has been known for years. Perpetrators create fake listings, use false names, and resort to genuine ID data to conceal their identity for other crimes. “The perpetrators usually operate under false personal details,” the authority told t-online upon request. However, there are no specific figures for this type of case – they fall under the general category of fraud offenses, whose variety makes statistical recording difficult.
The Bavarian Consumer Advice Centre also regularly receives complaints about fake rental offers. “Almost all complaints we receive come from Munich,” the Consumer Advice Centre further stated.
The fraudsters often demand advance payments or personal documents, claiming they are abroad and want to handle the rental contract by post. The Consumer Advice Centre added: “We see this time and again.” Anyone who sends their ID to strangers risks identity theft – for instance, through the opening of bank accounts or the creation of fake contracts.
Portal Deletes Dozens of Listings Daily
Real estate portals have recognized the problem. The portal “ohne-makler.net,” for example, explained to t-online that it checks every listing for anomalies using artificial intelligence. If the system flags irregularities, the offer is manually reviewed. “If something seems suspicious to us, the listing is removed immediately,” a spokesperson for the portal added.
Several dozen listings are deleted this way every day, it is reported. The company emphasizes that it takes user reports very seriously. Incoming reports from portal users are reviewed within 30 minutes. If an initial suspicion is confirmed, the listing is taken offline immediately.
“ohne-makler.net” states that it cooperates with investigative authorities when they approach the company. In such cases, the IP address, home address, and name of the person in question would be transmitted – but only in a few exceptional cases.
How Apartment Seekers Can Recognize the Scam
The police recommend that apartment seekers generally remain suspicious of online listings. Specifically:
- Make no advance payments before a viewing
- Do not transmit personal documents or ID copies to strangers
- Look for a complete legal notice and broker licenses
- Report suspicious listings immediately to the platform and the police
The Munich police headquarters stated: “A request for payment before the viewing is unusual.” And it further stated: “Reputable landlords do not expect sensitive data in advance.”
Anyone who has fallen victim to fraud or recognized it just in time should contact the police – because even attempts, i.e., not yet completed acts, are punishable and will be prosecuted.
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