France rental fraud targets students with fake housing listings

Students in France are increasingly falling victim to fraudulent rental listings as the new academic year begins. Scammers are exploiting the high demand and time pressure of the tight housing market by posting deceptive advertisements on real estate and classified portals.

According to the state platform Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, perpetrators often pose as owners or landlords. They solicit sensitive personal documents, such as copies of IDs and proof of income, which can be used for identity theft. Additionally, scammers frequently demand upfront payments for deposits, reservation fees, or the first month's rent before a physical viewing or a verifiable lease has occurred. Common warning signs include requests for payment via gift cards, cash transfer services, or untraceable bank transfers, as well as unusually low rent prices.