AZE.US
Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry has urged students to exercise caution when searching for rental housing and not to transfer a deposit before viewing the property.
Fraudsters are posting fake apartment listings at attractive prices on online platforms, AZE.US reports. Potential tenants are often told that other customers are waiting and pressured to send a deposit immediately.
Once the money is transferred, the person behind the listing stops answering calls and messages.
“Do not send money without viewing the apartment, verifying the identity of the person who posted the listing and checking the property information,” the ministry said.
Real estate expert Elnur Farzaliyev said such scams traditionally become more common in late August and the first half of September, when thousands of students arrive from Azerbaijan’s regions to study in Baku and other major cities.
Many students search for accommodation through online listing platforms instead of real estate agencies, making them easier targets for scammers. Fraudsters frequently use photographs of attractive apartments and advertise them at prices well below market rates.
Experts advise students not to make rushed decisions, to verify the landlord’s identity and property documents, and to be particularly wary of suspiciously cheap offers or demands for an immediate advance payment.
AZE.US