Facebook Marketplace Rental Scam — How Fake Lettings Target UK Renters
You found a flat on Facebook Marketplace at an unbelievable price. The 'landlord' asks for a holding deposit before you can view it, claiming high demand. The listing uses photos stolen from legitimate estate agents. Once you transfer the deposit, the landlord disappears. This is one of the fastest-growing scams in the UK rental market.
Think this email is a scam?
Forward it to us and get a free risk assessment in under 60 seconds.
How This Scam Works
High Risk — Fake Rental Listings on Facebook Marketplace
Never pay a holding deposit for a rental property you have not seen in person. Fake listings use photos stolen from legitimate estate agents.
Note: This scam typically arrives via Facebook Marketplace, not email. If you received a suspicious email, forward it to check@scam.support for a free risk assessment. For rental scams, report to Action Fraud — see all reporting agencies.
You find a flat on Facebook Marketplace at an unbelievable price. The "landlord" asks for a holding deposit before you can view it, claiming high demand. The listing uses photos stolen from legitimate estate agents or property websites. Once you transfer the deposit, the landlord disappears and the listing is removed.
According to Action Fraud, rental fraud is one of the most commonly reported types of fraud in the UK, with victims losing an average of several hundred to several thousand pounds per incident. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has highlighted the growing use of social media platforms for rental scams. UK Finance also notes that bank transfer fraud, which includes rental deposit scams, remains a significant issue.
Red Flags
- Rent is significantly below market rate for the area
- Landlord asks for a deposit before allowing a viewing
- Photos may appear on legitimate estate agent websites at different addresses
- Landlord claims high demand and pressures quick payment
- Communication is only through Messenger or WhatsApp, not through an agency
What You Should Do
What To Do
- Never pay a deposit before viewing a property in person
- Do a reverse image search on listing photos
- Verify the landlord's identity and property ownership through the Land Registry
- Use established letting agencies with physical offices
- Report suspicious listings to Facebook and Action Fraud
Sources
- Action Fraud — Rental Fraud — Rental fraud reports and guidance
- National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) — Young people urged to 'Think Fraud' over rent offers — Social media rental scam trends
- UK Finance — Fraud Data and Research — Bank transfer fraud statistics