Rental Listing Scams in Croatia
Fake long-term rental adverts in Zagreb, Split, and coastal cities lure tenants and seasonal workers into paying deposits for apartments that are not available.
Part of: Rental Listing Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Beyond holiday lets, Croatia sees year-round rental fraud aimed at students, seasonal tourism workers, and newcomers seeking long-term homes in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and along the coast. Scammers post appealing, well-priced apartments and pressure applicants to pay a deposit before viewing.
Seasonal workers arriving for the summer and international students are especially exposed, often unable to view a property in person and unfamiliar with normal Croatian rental practices. The deposit disappears and the supposed landlord becomes unreachable.
How this scam works on Croatia
An advert shows a desirable apartment at a slightly below-market rent, often using photos taken from a genuine listing. When an applicant makes contact, the 'landlord' claims to be abroad for work and unable to show the flat, but offers to courier the keys once a deposit and first month's rent are transferred.
The scammer pushes for a fast transfer to beat 'other interested tenants', sometimes routing money through a fake escrow service. After payment, the listing vanishes and contact ends.
In Croatia the scam often targets seasonal-worker and student housing groups, where pressure to find a place before the season or term begins makes tenants willing to commit money sight unseen.
Common red flags
- An apartment priced noticeably below similar listings in the same Croatian city
- A landlord who is 'abroad' and cannot show the property or meet in person
- Pressure to pay a deposit by transfer before viewing or signing a contract
- Photos found in other listings via reverse-image search
- Requests to pay through an unfamiliar escrow or relocation service
- Refusal to provide verifiable identity or proof of ownership
- Communication only by message, with no Croatian phone number or in-person contact
How to protect yourself
- Never pay a deposit before viewing the apartment in person or via a verified trusted contact
- Insist on a written Croatian tenancy agreement and verify the landlord's identity
- Be wary of any landlord claiming to be abroad and unable to arrange a viewing
- Reverse-image-search listing photos to check they are not stolen
- Use established rental platforms and, for students, your university housing office
- Confirm the address exists and matches the listing before paying
How to report it
- Report rental fraud to the Croatian Police via 192 with the listing and payment details
- Notify the listing platform or housing group so the advert can be removed
- Contact your bank immediately to attempt recall of any transfer
Frequently asked questions
The 'landlord' offered a video call to show me the Zagreb flat — does that prove it's real?
A live video call is a good sign but not a guarantee — some scammers use pre-recorded footage of a genuine apartment. Ask them to show something specific in real time, and still avoid paying before a written contract and identity check.
I've already sent a deposit by transfer — can I get it back?
Contact your bank immediately to ask about a transfer recall, though success isn't guaranteed once funds have moved. Report the fraud to the Croatian Police via 192 with the listing, messages, and payment proof.
What's a normal deposit amount for a Croatian rental, and how should I pay it safely?
A typical deposit is one to two months' rent, paid only after viewing the property and signing a written tenancy agreement. Use a traceable payment method where possible, and never pay before you or a trusted contact has seen the flat.
How can seasonal workers in Croatia avoid rental scams?
Never pay a deposit before viewing the property, insist on a written contract and proof of ownership, and ask a trusted local contact to inspect the apartment if you cannot. A landlord who claims to be abroad and demands money before any viewing is a serious warning sign.
Sources for this guide are listed on the Rental Listing Scams page (3 sources).