Rental scam: landlord overseas wants a deposit wired
Scammers copy real listings, say they are overseas, and ask for a wired deposit before a viewing, promising to mail the keys.
How this scam works
A copied listing makes the property look real while the overseas story explains why no one can show it. Once a wire, gift-card payment, or crypto transfer is sent, there is no real lease or key handoff.
Common versions of the message
- An overseas landlord
- A deposit required before a viewing
- Keys promised by mail
What the message looks like
Text from Landlord
The apartment is still available. I'm currently overseas, so I can't show you the property. Wire the deposit before the viewing and I'll have the keys shipped to you.
Fictional example based on common, publicly reported scam patterns.
The red flags
- 1
Landlord is "away": “I'm currently overseas”
So you can never meet them or see the place
Being overseas gives the supposed landlord a reason to avoid meeting you or arranging a legitimate viewing.
- 2
Pay first: “Wire the deposit before the viewing”
Wired money can't be pulled back
Paying before a viewing removes your chance to confirm that the person controls the property, and wired money is hard to pull back.
- 3
Keys by mail: “keys shipped to you”
Real landlords hand keys over in person
A promise to ship keys replaces the normal in-person handoff without proving the listing is theirs.
What to do
- Never pay for a rental you have not seen in person.
- Search the address and photos to see if the listing appears elsewhere.
- Do not wire money or pay with gift cards or crypto.
If you already replied, clicked, or paid
- If you sent a deposit, contact the bank, wire service, payment app, or crypto platform immediately and report it.
- Save the listing, messages, payment details, and any name or account the person used.
- If you shared identity documents for an application, take the identity-protection steps recommended by the document issuer.
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