Dublin: Ireland’s deepening housing crisis has led to a sharp rise in rental scams, with foreign students increasingly falling victim. According to Gardaí, incidents of rental fraud rose by 22% in the past six months, with cases peaking in August and September, when new students arrive and others return to college.
The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau has issued a strong warning urging students to remain vigilant. Figures show that fraudsters stole €385,000 in the first half of 2025, compared to €617,000 in 2024. Of the 160 fraud cases reported in recent months, 34% of victims were under 25, while 66% were under 33.
The scams typically involve fraudsters demanding deposits for properties that either do not exist, are already rented, or belong to someone else. Victims are often told the landlord is “abroad” and that payment must be made before viewing the property. In some cases, fake keys are handed over, while in others, the scammer disappears after receiving money.
Investigators have linked two organised fraud groups—including one operated from India—to multiple scams in Dublin, defrauding as many as 100 Indian students.
Gardaí advise:
- Never pay deposits directly or via Revolut. Use traceable, refundable payment methods.
- Only use trusted sources, such as college accommodation portals or licensed letting agencies.
- Beware of cloned websites and suspicious listings.
- Red flags include grammatical errors in ads, “too good to be true” offers, pressure to act quickly, and landlords who avoid in-person meetings.
Fraudsters often operate entirely online, contacting victims through WhatsApp and social media.
The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) has also raised concerns, noting that international students—particularly those with limited English—are most at risk. “Scammers often collect deposits from multiple tenants for the same property,” said Brian Hear, Policy and Communications Manager at ICOS. He cited recent cases, including a Brazilian couple who discovered their chosen home had already been fraudulently “rented” to several others.
Hear advises students to never transfer money before meeting the landlord or agent in person, viewing the property, and signing a valid rental agreement.
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