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
Can I get my deposit back if I paid an Instagram 'landlord' by bank transfer?
Contact your bank immediately and ask about recalling the transfer — success depends on how quickly you act and your bank's fraud policies, and is not guaranteed once funds have moved on. Also report the account to Instagram and file a report with your local consumer protection authority or police.
How do I confirm an Instagram property account is a genuine registered business?
Ask for a business registration number and verify it independently through your country's business registry, rather than trusting anything shown on the Instagram profile itself. A legitimate operator will also be listed on established booking or letting platforms, not solely reachable through Instagram DM.
Is it normal for a legitimate short-term rental host to only communicate through Instagram DM?
It's a warning sign rather than the norm. Reputable hosts and agencies usually have a verifiable business email, phone number, or listing on an established booking platform in addition to any social media presence. Being reachable only via DM makes it much harder to hold anyone accountable if something goes wrong.
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.