Renters and landlords are being targeted in South Africa

Renters and landlords are increasingly being targeted by fraudsters in South Africa, resulting in thousands of rands being stolen.

This is the warning from the CEO of Fitzanne Estates, Pearl Scheltema, who said fraudsters are getting more creative in South Africa, and it’s easier than ever to fall victim to these criminals.

Reports indicate a sharp rise in rental fraud in 2025, with criminals becoming more sophisticated in their tactics.

Fake property listings, impersonated agents, and fraudulent payment demands leave victims out of pocket, often with little recourse.

According to a recent industry report, online rental scams have become one of the most common types of property fraud, with hundreds of South Africans losing their hard-earned money every year.

Online rental fraud occurs when scammers post fake rental listings or hijack legitimate ones to deceive prospective renters into paying deposits or rent without any real property being available.

“It’s not just tenants who are at risk—landlords are also being targeted by scammers posing as trustworthy tenants, only to default on payments and disappear,” said Scheltema.

She added that in a tough economic climate where both landlords and tenants are facing financial strain, falling victim to a scam can have devastating consequences.

Outlining the latest modus operandi of these criminals, Scheltema explained that fraudulent rental scams take many forms, but most follow a similar pattern.

“In one of the most common scams, criminals advertise non-existent or already occupied properties online at below-market rates to attract unsuspecting tenants,” said Scheltema.

“Once interest is shown, scammers pressure potential tenants into paying deposits and advance rent before allowing a viewing. The victim then finds out—too late—that the property was never available.”

She added that other tactics involve impersonating legitimate estate agents, complete with professional-looking emails and fake credentials.

Scheltema further noted that some scammers even arrange property viewings using stolen keys or renting short-term accommodation to create the illusion of legitimacy.

The Landlords Association of South Africa (LASA) also flagged this concern about online rental scams at the end of 2024.

It reported a rise in scams such as phantom rentals (listing properties that don’t exist), hijacked listings (altering the contact information of legit listings), and fake agency scams (posing as rental agents or property managers).

“The methods used are varied, but the goal remains the same: to extract money from unsuspecting renters,” said the LASA.

Landlords are not immune, either. Scheltema explained that some fraudsters pose as tenants, providing fake proof of income and references to secure a lease.

After moving in, they fail to pay rent and vanish, leaving landlords with costly eviction processes. Scammers sometimes sublet the property to multiple unsuspecting tenants, collecting rent from several people before disappearing.

Scheltema stressed that the financial loss from rental scams can be significant, with rental deposits often equating to one or two months’ rent.

“Victims can lose tens of thousands of rands with little hope of recovering their money. This often forces them to delay securing new accommodation, causing further stress and disruption,” she said.

“For landlords, rental fraud can lead to prolonged vacancies, unpaid rent, and legal battles to remove fraudulent tenants.”

To avoid rental scams, Scheltema advised that tenants should always verify that they are dealing with a legitimate estate agent.

This can be done by checking the agent’s registration with the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA).

“Reputable agencies ensure that all rental transactions follow proper legal procedures, offering tenants a layer of security that independent dealings often lack,” she said.

Other red flags Scheltema outlined include landlords or agents who refuse in-person meetings, pressure tenants to pay upfront fees before viewing a property or provide vague or inconsistent property details.

“For landlords, the best protection is a thorough tenant vetting process, which includes verifying employment history, checking references, and ensuring that rental payments can be made consistently,” she added.