High riskRental

Serviced Apartment Scam

In this scam, a serviced apartment or aparthotel is advertised for a short stay, but the 'host' pushes off-platform payment or uses a fake listing, taking your money for accommodation that does not exist or is not theirs.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Off-platform / fake listing (short stay)
Main red flag
A serviced apartment host pushing off-platform payment for a short stay.
What to do first
Book and pay only through reputable, verifiable platforms.

How this scam works

In this scam, a serviced apartment or aparthotel is advertised for a short stay, but the 'host' pushes off-platform payment or uses a fake listing, taking your money for accommodation that does not exist or is not theirs.

Rental scams advertise properties that are not available, not owned by the "landlord", or do not exist, to collect deposits and first-month rent from hopeful tenants. They pressure you to pay before viewing and to move money by transfer.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: A serviced apartment host pushing off-platform payment for a short stay. Book and pay only through reputable, verifiable platforms.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Vacation Rental Scam and the Hotel Booking Scam. See the full Rental & Housing Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • A push to pay off-platform by transfer
  • A listing or host you cannot verify
  • Prices below comparable serviced apartments
  • Pressure to confirm quickly
  • Copied photos or vague details

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Lovely serviced apartment, cheaper if you pay me directly by transfer. Send the deposit to confirm your stay.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What gives it away: A serviced apartment host pushing off-platform payment for a short stay.

The scale of it

Hundreds of millions
real-estate and rental fraud reported to the FBI runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars a year
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
$12.5B
total reported internet-crime losses in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

How to protect yourself

  • Book and pay through reputable, verifiable platforms
  • Keep communication and payment on the platform
  • Verify the listing and host
  • Be wary of off-platform discounts

Already responded? Do this now

  • If you paid off-platform, contact your bank to try to recover it
  • Report the host and listing to the platform
  • Keep messages and listing details as evidence
  • Report the scam to your local fraud authority

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not pay off-platform by transfer
  • Do not trust below-market prices
  • Do not skip verifying the listing

Related scams to know

High risk Rental

Vacation Rental Scam

This scam uses a fake or hijacked holiday rental listing, often with copied photos and a below-market price, to pressure you into paying a deposit off-platform by bank transfer for a property that is not actually available.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Online Shopping

Hotel Booking Scam

Hotel booking scams use fake listings or phishing messages that pose as a booking platform or the hotel itself. They ask you to 'reconfirm' payment off-platform, pay a deposit by transfer, or update card details for a room that may not really be available. Some come from hacked hotel chat or email accounts, making the request look genuine.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Rental

Rental Deposit Scam

This scam advertises a desirable rental at a low price and demands a deposit before any viewing, then disappears once you pay.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

How do I book a serviced apartment safely?
Use reputable, verifiable platforms, keep payment and communication on them, verify the listing and host, and avoid off-platform discounts.
The host offered a discount for paying directly. Safe?
No. Off-platform payment removes protections and is a common scam tactic. Pay only through the platform.
I paid off-platform. What now?
Contact your bank to try to recover it, report the host and listing, and keep your evidence.
How can I tell a listing is genuine?
Search the photos for reuse, read platform reviews, and verify the host before booking, keeping everything on the platform.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.