TikTok room scams surge even when the photos are real

Scammers do not need crude pictures. They copy genuine listings from platforms such as Pararius, reuse addresses and imitate an agent’s tone before moving a student into private messages. One Groningen offer advertised a two-bedroom apartment for €850 and demanded €150 before viewing; a Nijmegen seeker was asked for a €120 “reservation guarantee”. Real-looking photographs therefore do not prove the person receiving money may rent out the home. The process is stronger evidence: repeated viewing delays, a demand to pay today, a foreign account, or refusal to verify identity and authority in writing. Housing scarcity creates urgency, but that is exactly when address, landlord and images must be checked separately. Fraudehelpdesk logged 175 rental-fraud victim reports in the first half of 2026, versus 21 previously.

• Fraudehelpdesk logged 175 rental-fraud victim reports in the first half of 2026, versus 21 previously.
• Scammers often copy photographs and text from genuine housing platforms.
• Viewing fees, reservation payments or months of deposit in advance are major warning signs.
• Victims should contact their bank quickly, report to police and notify Fraudehelpdesk.

Hokimi field note：Reverse-search photographs, inspect the address in Street View and verify the landlord; do not transfer money or send a full passport copy before a genuine viewing and authority check. Information last checked on 12 August 2026：source1 · source2。