Rental Deposit Scams on Instagram
Fraudsters advertise rental properties and holiday lets on Instagram, taking deposits via direct message before the tenant discovers the property is unavailable or non-existent.
Part of: Rental Deposit Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Instagram's visual platform is well-suited to showcasing beautiful rental properties, making it increasingly used for short-term holiday lets and long-term rentals. Scammers exploit this by building aesthetic property accounts, garnering followers, and posting fabricated or stolen property listings.
Victims who book via Instagram DM — outside any platform with booking protection — are particularly exposed. They often discover the fraud only on arrival when they find no accommodation arranged, or receive a message from the real owner stating the property was never listed for rent.
How this scam works on Instagram
A scammer builds an Instagram account presenting what appears to be a property management business, featuring photos of luxury apartments or holiday cottages sourced from real estate sites. Followers enquire via DM, are sent details, and are asked to pay a deposit by bank transfer to 'secure the dates.'
For short-term lets, the scam often involves a fake property that the fraudster claims to manage on behalf of an overseas owner. The victim pays, receives a fake booking confirmation, and discovers on arrival that no booking was ever made.
Some operators target long-term rental seekers by posting fake rooms or flats for rent, typically in high-demand cities. A partial deposit is requested to 'take the listing down' before viewings are arranged — which then never happen.
Common red flags
- Property account with many posts but low engagement relative to follower count
- Only contact method is Instagram DM — no verifiable business email or phone
- Deposit requested before any viewing or signed agreement
- Property photos appear on established holiday or real estate listing sites under a different owner
- Urgency around a booking deadline with claims of other interested tenants
- Account created recently with a sudden surge in property posts
- Payment via bank transfer, crypto, or payment apps described as 'standard practice'
How to protect yourself
- Book accommodation through established platforms with built-in booking protection
- Reverse-search property photos to verify they are not lifted from legitimate listing sites
- Never pay a deposit via DM before verifying the property and the agent independently
- Request a verifiable business registration number for any property management company
- For long-term rentals, insist on a formal viewing before paying any deposit
- Search the property address on public ownership registries to confirm the claimed owner
How to report it
- Report the Instagram account via the profile page using 'Report > It's a scam'
- File a complaint with your national consumer protection authority if money was lost
- Alert the genuine property owner or the legitimate platform whose listing was copied
Frequently asked questions
How can I spot a copied property listing on Instagram?
Use Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye on the listing photos. If the same images appear on a legitimate real estate or holiday booking site attributed to a different owner or agent, the Instagram listing is likely fraudulent.