Germany is safe. Clean. Organized. Efficient. For many travelers, students, and new immigrants, it feels like the perfect place to start a new chapter.
But there is one area where even smart people get burned.
Accommodation.
Every year, thousands of foreigners lose money to fake landlords, fake agents, and fake apartments. Some lose deposits, months of rent and arrive in Germany and discover their “home” does not exist.
This is not because Germany is unsafe.
It is because scammers know housing is emotional, urgent, and stressful.
If you are:
- A tourist booking short stays
- A student searching for housing
- A worker relocating
- A newcomer planning to settle
You are a prime target.
This guide will show you:
- The most common accommodation scams in Germany
- How these scams actually work
- The red flags most victims miss
- How to verify listings properly
- How to protect your money and documents
- How to rent or book safely in 2026
This is not a fear article.
This is a protection manual.
Why Accommodation Scams Are So Common in Germany
Germany has a housing shortage in many cities.
Places like:
- Berlin
- Munich
- Frankfurt
- Hamburg
- Cologne
Have:
- High demand
- Limited supply
- Fast-moving rental markets
When demand is high, scammers move in.
They take advantage of:
- Desperate renters
- Foreigners who do not know the system
- People who cannot view apartments in person
- People in a hurry
They know one thing:
When people are stressed, they make bad decisions.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Scammers do not target everyone equally.
They focus on:
- International students
- New immigrants
- Tourists booking long stays
- People outside Germany
- People who cannot attend viewings
If you are:
- Searching from abroad
- In a hurry
- On a budget
- Unfamiliar with German rules
You are a high-value target.
How These Scams Usually Start
Most scams begin on:
- Fake rental websites
- Facebook groups
- WhatsApp chats
- Telegram channels
- Cloned listings from real platforms
The scammer often pretends to be:
- A landlord
- A property manager
- An agent
- A “helpful” middleman
They usually:
- Copy photos from real listings
- Post very attractive prices
- Claim many people are interested
- Push you to act fast
The Most Common Accommodation Scams in Germany
Let us break them down clearly.
1. The “I Am Abroad” Landlord Scam
This is the most common scam.
How it works:
- The scammer claims to be the landlord
- They say they are “currently abroad”
- They cannot show the apartment
- They ask for a deposit to “reserve” it
- Once you pay, they disappear
Red flags:
- No viewing possible
- Emotional story
- Pressure to pay fast
- Request for wire transfer or crypto
2. The Fake Booking Website Scam
This scam uses fake copies of real platforms.
The scammer:
- Sends you a link that looks real
- Asks you to pay through it
- The website steals your money
Always remember:
Only pay inside real platforms like Booking.com.
You can see their safety guidance here
3. The “Key by Post” Scam
The scammer says:
- They will mail you the key
- After you pay the deposit and rent
- The key never comes
- The apartment never existed
4. The Fake Agent Scam
Here, the scammer pretends to be:
- A relocation agent
- A housing consultant
- A “company representative”
They:
- Ask for a “service fee”
- Promise to secure an apartment
- Deliver nothing
In Germany, real agents do not charge upfront fees for rentals.
5. The Sublet That Is Not Allowed
This is more subtle.
You:
- Rent a room or apartment
- Later discover the person had no right to sublet it
- You may be forced to leave
Quick Comparison Table: Scam vs Real Rental
| Feature | Scam Listing | Real Listing |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing | Always refused | Always possible |
| Price | Too cheap | Market level |
| Payment | Urgent, upfront | After contract |
| Communication | Emotional pressure | Professional tone |
| Documents | Vague or missing | Clear and official |
Why Foreigners Fall for These Scams
Because:
- They are in a hurry
- They are afraid of missing out
- They do not know German rental culture
- They trust documents too easily
- They trust photos too much
Scammers exploit fear and hope.
Understanding How Real Rentals Work in Germany
In Germany, a normal rental process looks like this:
- You view the apartment
- You apply with documents
- You sign a contract
- You pay deposit and first rent
- You get the keys
Money is never sent before a real contract.
The Role of the Deposit (Kaution)
In Germany:
- The deposit is usually 2–3 months of rent
- It is paid after signing the contract
- It is held as security
If someone asks for a deposit:
- Before viewing
- Before contract
- Before keys
It is almost always a scam.
Why “Too Cheap” Is Always Dangerous
If you see:
- A €400 apartment in central Munich
- A €500 apartment in central Berlin
It is not a miracle.
It is a trap.
How to Verify a Listing Properly
Always:
- Reverse-search the images
- Ask for a video tour
- Ask for exact address
- Ask for the landlord’s full name
- Ask for a draft contract
Never:
- Send passport first
- Send money first
- Trust screenshots
The Danger of Sending Your Passport
Many scammers also:
- Steal identities
- Open accounts
- Create fake listings using your documents
Your passport is not a toy.
Trusted Consumer Advice in Germany
Germany has strong consumer protection.
The official consumer protection body warns extensively about rental scams.
Safe Ways to Book Short-Term Accommodation
For tourists:
- Use well-known platforms only
- Never pay outside the platform
- Read recent reviews
- Avoid “contact me outside” messages
Safe Ways to Rent Long-Term Accommodation
For students and residents:
- Never send money before viewing
- Never sign contracts you do not understand
- Never pay “reservation fees”
- Use German or bilingual contracts
How Scammers Use Psychology Against You
They use:
- Urgency
- Scarcity
- Sympathy
- Authority
- Fear
Common phrases:
- “Many people are interested”
- “I need to travel tomorrow”
- “This is my last apartment”
What To Do If You Are Already a Victim
- Stop all contact
- Save all evidence
- Contact your bank immediately
- Report to the platform
- Report to police
Recovery is hard. Prevention is easier.
Special Advice for Nigerians and Other Africans
If you are applying for:
- Visa
- Study
- Relocation
Immigration officers may accept temporary hotel bookings.
Do not risk your future on:
- Fake apartments
- Fake landlords
Use safe platforms first. Find long-term housing after arrival.
City-Specific Risk Levels
Berlin
Very high scam activity.
Munich
High prices attract scammers.
Frankfurt
Many fake “business apartments”.
Why Facebook and Telegram Are High Risk
Because:
- No real moderation
- Easy to disappear
- Easy to fake profiles
- Easy to fake documents
The Golden Rules of Safe Renting in Germany
If there is one section of this guide you should read twice, it is this one.
Germany is a safe and well-regulated country. But the housing market is under pressure, and scammers exploit that pressure. They do not rely on technology. They rely on human emotions: fear, urgency, and hope.
These golden rules exist because every major accommodation scam breaks at least one of them.
If you follow them strictly, you will avoid almost every rental scam in Germany.
Golden Rule #1: No Viewing = No Money
This rule alone would prevent more than 80% of rental scams.
In Germany, a real rental always involves a viewing. Either:
- You see the apartment in person, or
- You attend a live video viewing with the landlord or agent
If someone says:
- “I am abroad”
- “I cannot show the apartment”
- “Just trust me, it looks like the photos”
- “Many people want it, so pay first”
That is not normal in Germany.
Why This Rule Exists
Scammers cannot show what they do not own.
They depend on:
- Stolen photos
- Copied listings
- Fake addresses
A real landlord:
- Wants to meet the tenant
- Wants to check documents
- Wants to show the apartment
What You Should Do
- Insist on a viewing
- Accept only live video or in-person viewings
- Refuse any payment before a viewing
If there is no viewing, there is no apartment.
Golden Rule #2: No Contract = No Money
In Germany, no serious landlord collects money without a signed contract.
A legal rental process is:
- Viewing
- Agreement
- Signed contract
- Payment
- Keys
If someone asks for:
- Deposit
- “Reservation fee”
- “Holding fee”
- “Security fee”
Before a contract is signed, that is a huge red flag.
Why This Rule Exists
The rental contract is:
- Your legal protection
- Proof of the agreement
- Proof of the terms
- Proof of the landlord’s identity
Without it:
- You have no rights
- You have no claim
- You have no evidence
What a Real Contract Should Contain
- Full names of both parties
- Exact address of the apartment
- Monthly rent
- Deposit amount
- Start date
- Signatures
If any of these are missing, do not pay.
Golden Rule #3: No Keys = No Money
This rule protects you from “key by post” scams and fake handovers.
In Germany:
- Keys are handed over in person
- Or by a trusted building manager
- Or at the apartment itself
If someone says:
- “I will mail the keys after payment”
- “My agent will send the keys later”
- “Pay first, then we arrange the handover”
That is not how it works.
Why This Rule Exists
Scammers often:
- Promise keys
- Take the money
- Disappear
No keys = no control of the property.
The Correct Order
- Contract signed
- Payment made
- Keys handed over
- You enter the apartment
Never reverse this order.
Golden Rule #4: No Verified Platform or Identity = No Trust
In Germany, real landlords and real agents can prove who they are.
A real landlord can provide:
- Full legal name
- ID (shown in person, not sent online)
- Proof they own or manage the apartment
- Official email or company address
Scammers avoid:
- Video calls
- Real names
- Physical meetings
- Traceable identities
High-Risk Places
- Facebook groups
- Telegram channels
- WhatsApp-only “agents”
- Random websites
These are not automatically scams. But they are high-risk environments.
What You Should Do
- Prefer well-known platforms
- Verify the person’s identity
- Check if the name matches the contract
- Never trust only profile pictures or screenshots
Golden Rule #5: No Pressure = Real Deal
Real landlords in Germany do not pressure you emotionally.
Scammers do.
They use phrases like:
- “Many people want it”
- “You must pay today”
- “I will give it to someone else”
- “This is your last chance”
Why This Rule Exists
Pressure shuts down logic.
Scammers know that when you are afraid to lose something, you stop thinking carefully.
A real landlord:
- Follows a process
- Reviews applications
- Takes time
- Does not beg or rush you
What You Should Do
- Walk away from pressure
- Never rush money decisions
- Remember: another apartment always exists
Golden Rule #6: No Strange Payment Methods
In Germany, rent and deposits are paid by:
- Bank transfer
- Sometimes card payment
- Sometimes cash (with receipt)
Scammers prefer:
- Gift cards
- Crypto
- Western Union
- MoneyGram
- “Special escrow” websites
Why This Rule Exists
Strange payment methods are:
- Hard to trace
- Hard to recover
- Perfect for criminals
If the payment method feels strange, the deal is dangerous.
Golden Rule #7: No “Too Good to Be True” Prices
This is one of the most reliable scam indicators.
If you see:
- €400 apartment in central Munich
- €500 apartment in central Berlin
- Luxury apartment at student prices
It is almost always fake.
Why This Rule Exists
Scammers use:
- Low prices
- Beautiful photos
- Perfect descriptions
To trigger:
- Greed
- Excitement
- Urgency
What You Should Do
- Compare prices in the same area
- Learn normal price ranges
- Be suspicious of miracles
Golden Rule #8: Never Send Your Passport First
Many scammers also collect:
- Passports
- Residence permits
- Bank details
They use them to:
- Open accounts
- Create fake listings
- Commit identity fraud
The Only Time You Show ID
- During viewing
- Or during contract signing
- Or in person to a real agent
Never send your passport to a stranger online.
The Ultimate Safety Rule (The Rule That Covers All Others)
If anything feels rushed, secretive, emotional, or strange, walk away.
Germany has rules.
Real rentals follow them.
Scams always try to go around them.
A Simple “Before You Pay” Safety Checklist
Before sending even €1, ask yourself:
- Have I seen the apartment?
- Have I met the landlord or agent?
- Have I signed a contract?
- Do I know who owns this apartment?
- Is the payment method normal and traceable?
If any answer is NO, do not pay.
Final Truth About Renting in Germany
Germany is not dangerous.
But desperation is.
The biggest weapon scammers have is your hurry.
The biggest weapon you have is patience.
A Simple Safety Checklist
Before paying anything:
- You saw the apartment
- You met the landlord or agent
- You signed a contract
- You understand the terms
- Payment is traceable
Conclusion: Germany Is Safe, But Your Decisions Matter
Germany is not a scam country.
But housing stress creates perfect conditions for scammers.
If you remember only one thing:
Never send money for an apartment you have not seen and signed for.
Your future is worth more than a rushed decision.
FAQs
1. Can I rent an apartment in Germany from abroad?
Yes, but it is risky. Use temporary housing first.
2. Are all Facebook rentals scams?
Not all, but many are. Extreme caution is needed.
3. Is it normal to pay deposit before viewing?
No. That is almost always a scam.
4. Can scammers use my passport?
Yes. Never send it to unverified people.
5. What is the safest first accommodation in Germany?
Hotels, hostels, or trusted platforms for short stays.
