🚨08/10/2025 - Rental Scam Alert: Fake Property Listings on Facebook

We’re seeing a rise in rental scams on Facebook, where fraudsters pose as landlords and advertise properties they don’t actually own. These scams often involve listings stolen from legitimate sites like Rightmove or Zoopla, and they’re designed to trick renters into paying deposits before disappearing.

At PL Properties, we recently discovered one of our managed properties being used in such a scam — a stark reminder of how widespread and damaging these tactics have become.

How the scam works:

  • Stolen listings: Scammers copy photos and descriptions from real property adverts.

  • Fake profiles and pages: They use personal accounts or business pages to appear credible.

  • Too-good-to-be-true pricing: Rent is often set below market value to attract attention.

  • Urgency and pressure: Victims are told to act fast or risk losing the property.

  • Deposit theft: Once a deposit is paid, the scammer blocks the victim and vanishes.

According to recent investigations, a significant number of rental listings on Facebook are fraudulent — many lifted directly from other platforms without permission.

What to watch out for:

  • 🕵️‍♂️ New or suspicious profiles/pages

  • 📸 Photos that appear elsewhere online

  • 💸 Unusually low rent

  • 📄 No in-person viewing or proper paperwork

Stay safe:

  • Always verify the landlord or agent’s identity.

  • Never send money before viewing the property and meeting the Landlord or Agent.

  • Use trusted platforms and registered letting agents.

👉 If you’re unsure about a listing or feel something isn’t right, feel free to contact us directly. We’re happy to help try to verify any property or listing, or come up with a plan to help you avoid being scammed.

An example of a scammer on Facebook, and some of the red flags