Bengaluru Renter Warns of New Flat Rental Scam on Reddit

A Bengaluru renter has raised concerns on Reddit about what he describes as a “new flat rental scam” targeting individuals searching for affordable homes in the city. In a detailed post titled “Bengaluru New Flat Rental Scam,” the user explained how scammers are exploiting listings on popular real-estate platforms to deceive unsuspecting tenants.

According to the Redditor, the scam often involves unusually low-priced, fully furnished two-bedroom apartments, sometimes listed for as little as ₹15,000, in areas such as JP Nagar. Despite being immediately suspicious of the offer, he decided to investigate further.

He explained that the listing appeared too good to be true, offering a fully furnished two-bedroom flat with a TV, fridge, washing machine, and amenities including a gym and swimming pool. Despite recognising that the offer was likely a scam, he wanted to confirm it.

How do rental scams work?

The Redditor detailed that when he contacted the listed phone number, the alleged landlord claimed that society rules prevented direct visits. He was told an “entry ID card” needed to be generated before he could see the flat, which required sharing a photograph of himself along with a government-issued ID.

He warned that people should never share their photo or other personal details without meeting the person in person, noting that in the era of AI, a single photograph could be misused for blackmail.

The alleged scammer then requested ₹2,500 as a refundable fee to create the entry pass. The Redditor explained that this is the core of the fraud, as the money disappears once transferred, and contact with the person is lost. He added that when he insisted on meeting the alleged landlord at the society gate with verification from the security, the call ended abruptly.

The Redditor also reported encountering at least two such fraudulent listings, suggesting the scam may be more widespread than initially apparent.

He concluded that this type of scam has now started occurring in Bengaluru and advised people to remain vigilant. He stressed that if a deal sounds too good to be true, it is likely a scam.

How have social media users reacted?

Social media users reacted quickly to the Reddit post, noting that scammers are exploiting demand by offering unrealistic deals. Many shared similar experiences, advising others to verify listings, avoid advance payments, and distrust deals that appear unusually generous.

One user highlighted that the community rules stress caution while searching for flats. Another said they had lost ₹2,000 in a similar attempt and were unable to get help from the police. They reported the issue on the NPCI website but received no resolution, ultimately considering it a costly lesson.

A third user stated that they had faced the same scam two years ago, paying ₹500 as a token amount. They warned never to pay money just to view a flat, describing it as a major red flag. They recommended using brokers instead, noting that while brokers charge one month’s rent as brokerage, this allows access to multiple properties until satisfied, with the fee payable only after signing the agreement.