Misleading Real Estate Advertisements Warned by Police in Litzelstetten, Konstanz District (14th-15th March, 2025)
In a cautionary tale that highlights the importance of vigilance when it comes to online apartment listings, a 63-year-old individual has fallen victim to a scam involving a fake apartment listing.
According to information transmitted by Police Headquarters Konstanz, the incident occurred when the victim contacted the supposed landlord via email for the rental of an apartment listed on an unspecified platform. Upon further communication, the victim was asked to transfer money for the apartment via instant transfer to a bank account provided by the "landlord".
Upon realizing the fraud, the victim discovered there was no apartment at the given address. The search results do not provide the name of the landlord or lessor who offered the alleged living space.
The police advise against transferring money for apartments before viewing the property. Serious landlords, owners, or real estate agents do not demand money before a property is viewed, even if they switch to private communication. Fraudsters often switch to private communication (WhatsApp/Mail/) from the offer platform for apartment listings.
Perpetrators of apartment scams usually do not accept calls. The police generally advise caution with apartment listings that do not allow for personal contact and those that offer unusually low prices. The incident serves as a warning against fake apartment listings and the need for consumers to exercise caution when dealing with such listings.
For inquiries, Katrin Rosenthal can be contacted at the Police Headquarters Konstanz Press Office at [email protected]. The website for the Police Headquarters Konstanz is http://www.polizei-bw.de/. The Press Office can also be reached by telephone at 07531 995-3355 or 07531 995-1014.
The police advise that consumers should view the property before making any financial commitments, and to be wary of any listings that demand money before a viewing. By taking these precautions, consumers can protect themselves from falling victim to similar scams.
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