New Delhi, February 2026 — As the demand for rental housing surges in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Gurgaon, a sophisticated “Rental Scam” has emerged, turning the dream of a new home into a financial nightmare. Professional scammers are now using high-quality photography and “too-good-to-be-true” pricing to siphon off lakhs from desperate tenants before they even step foot inside a property.

The “Premium Listing” Bait

The scam begins on popular real estate portals and social media groups. Fraudsters post listings for fully furnished, high-end apartments in prime locations at roughly 20–30% below market rate.

• The Visual Deception: The photos used are often stolen from luxury Airbnb listings or high-end interior design catalogs.
• The “Owner” Persona: The scammer often poses as an NRI, a high-ranking army officer, or a busy professional who has “just moved abroad” and needs a “decent family” to look after the house quickly.

The “Gate Pass” & Visit Fee Extraction

The video report highlights the moment the scam moves from a conversation to a crime. When a potential tenant asks for a physical visit, the scammer introduces a “Security Protocol.”

• The “Visiting Card” Scam: Victims are told they need a “Society Gate Pass” or an “Appointment ID” to enter the gated community, citing strict security rules.
• The Small Ask: A “refundable” fee of ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 is demanded via UPI to generate this pass.
• The Escalation: Once the small fee is paid, the scammer claims the “system rejected the payment” or demands a “half-month security deposit” to “block” the flat from other interested parties while the victim is on their way.

The “Army Man” Psychological Play

A significant segment of this fraud involves impersonating military personnel. Scammers send forged Aadhar cards and Canteen Smart Cards to build instant patriotic trust. They claim they cannot meet in person due to “emergency duty” but promise to courier the keys once the “security deposit” is transferred. In reality, the person on the phone is operating from a remote cyber-crime hub, and the flat doesn’t even exist at that address.

The Toll on Migrant Professionals

The investigative breakdown reveals that the primary victims are young professionals moving to a new city who are unfamiliar with local rental norms.

• The Impact: Individual losses range from ₹20,000 to ₹1.5 lakh—often a student’s entire relocation budget or a worker’s first savings.
• The Disappearance: The moment the bulk transfer is made, the listing is deleted, the WhatsApp DP disappears, and the “owner’s” number is switched off.

How to Spot a Rental Scam

Experts featured in the video emphasize three non-negotiable rules for house hunters:

1. Never Pay Before a Visit: No legitimate owner or society requires a “fee” just to view a flat. If they ask for money to “generate a pass,” it is a 100% scam.
2. Verify the Location: Physically visit the society gate and ask the security guards if the specific flat number is actually for rent.
3. Reverse Image Search: Upload the listing photos to Google Image Search. If the “Bengaluru flat” shows up as a “New York penthouse,” walk away.

Bottom Line

In a heated rental market, desperation is a scammer’s greatest tool. The video serves as a stark reminder: if a deal feels like a steal, you are likely the one being robbed. Never let a “beautiful balcony” blind you to the basic rule of real estate—no money changes hands until the keys are in the lock.