← Living in Germany
Housing safety
Is this flat a scam?
Fake flat listings are common in German university cities, and students searching from India are an easy target because they can't view the flat. Check the listing against these red flags before you send any money.
Looks OKBe carefulScam
Tick everything that applies to the listing you are looking at.
If you already paid
- Contact your bank or payment provider immediately and ask whether the payment can be recalled.
- Keep screenshots of the listing and all messages.
- File a police report — in Germany this is possible online.
- Report the listing to the portal so others are warned.
Safer places to start
- Student halls run by your local Studierendenwerk (apply as early as possible — waiting lists are long).
- Your university's international office — many course pages here describe the help they offer with accommodation.
Source:Police crime prevention (ProPK) – fraud when flat-huntingVerbraucherzentrale – fake flats online· checked 9 Oct 2026