Bengaluru techie's smart move saves him from flat rental scam

Navigating the rental housing market in Bengaluru can be a daunting experience, especially with scammers exploiting the desperation of house hunters. An incident shared by Ramnath Shenoy, Senior Director of Product at SpotDraft, sheds light on this issue and serves as a cautionary tale for those seeking accommodation in the city.

Shenoy took to Twitter and narrated his encounter with a rental scam while searching for an apartment in Bengaluru. Having experienced the ups and downs of house hunting in the city for over nine years, he detailed how his sharp instincts helped him avoid falling victim to a fraudster posing as a property owner.

The Suspicious Listing

Shenoy began his apartment search on 99acres, a popular real estate platform, and filtered listings to show only properties directly listed by owners. Among the listings, a particularly attractive 3BHK apartment at Prestige Pinewood, Koramangala, caught his eye. Priced at just ₹30,000 per month with a two-month deposit, it seemed like a fantastic deal.


Excited, Shenoy contacted the owner, who spoke fluent English and appeared professional. The owner explained that he had moved to Mangalore for work and was looking for a responsible tenant. When Shenoy expressed interest in visiting the property, the owner said he could only show it on the weekend, citing his current location in Mangalore. However, there was a catch — the owner requested a ₹5,000 token amount to confirm Shenoy’s seriousness as a prospective tenant.

Spotting the Red Flags

At first glance, nothing seemed out of place. Shenoy, being from Mangalore, casually asked for recommendations in the area. The owner's response, however, was filled with made-up names. This inconsistency raised Shenoy’s suspicion. Despite his doubts, Shenoy proceeded to ask for the UPI payment details, which further confirmed his unease.

"The UPI ID was odd, which made my doubts stronger," Shenoy wrote. Within minutes of receiving the details, the owner began persistently following up, urging him to make the payment. This desperation solidified Shenoy’s belief that he was dealing with a scammer.

Shenoy’s story is not an isolated incident. He highlighted that a friend had recently been scammed out of Rs 2,000 under the guise of “visiting charges” for a rental property. Online platforms often host such fraudulent listings, making it challenging for users to identify legitimate offers.

Awareness Leads to Action

Following his experience, Shenoy took to social media to warn others. "Do NOT transfer any token amount, rent, or deposit without physically seeing the property and meeting the owner or caretaker in person," he cautioned. He also emphasized the need for vigilance, stating, "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is."

Encouragingly, his efforts have prompted platforms like 99acres and Housing.com to introduce warnings against remote payments.

A Lesson for All House Hunters

Shenoy’s quick thinking and refusal to rush into a payment potentially saved him from losing money. His experience underscores the importance of verifying property details, meeting the owner in person, and being wary of advance payment requests.

With rental scams becoming increasingly common, Shenoy’s advice is crucial: "Share this with everyone looking for rental accommodation in Bengaluru." A little caution can go a long way in ensuring a smooth and secure house-hunting process.