Coliving deposit scam in Barcelona, the Telegram pattern
what was the name on the account they gave you? it helps to put names or bank details in these threads so they show up for other people googling them. also did they claim to be a specific agency? listing the 'montjuic co-living' name is a start but they usually have a fake company name like 'bcn rentals sl' to look legit. i'm glad you're safe though. the market is a nightmare.
montjuic is a common one because it sounds nice but the real residential areas there are actually quite limited. 500 euro for a deposit plus an admin fee is also weirdly low for a decent coliving space in 2024. prices are skyrocketing, so if a deal looks "reasonable" compared to old reddit threads, it's probably a trap. how did the fake website look? was it a rip-off of a big brand?
most of these guys just clone sites like aticco or urban campus but change the contact link to their specific telegram. it's getting harder to spot the difference if you're in a rush.
i've seen the one posters mentions. it's literally just a landing page with stolen stock photos. if the 'contact us' button doesn't go to a real email address or official form, it's fake.
this is literally what happened to us when we first landed. it is always telegram. real agencies in spain won't push you to move the convo over there and they definitely won't ask for a deposit before you see the place in person. did they also try to send you a photo of a fake passport or dnie to prove they were real? that is usually the big red flag for me.
exactly. if they send a photo of an id without you asking it is almost 100% a stolen document. no legit landlord does that.
the document list is huge. most people think getting the dnv is the hard part but finding a flat without getting robbed is the real final boss. i am curious about the coliving company you mentioned. was it a big branded one or just a random guy managing a few rooms? the big brands are more expensive but at least they have offices.
the personal bank account thing is the biggest red flag. spanish businesses use a 'cuenta de empresa' and it should clearly show the company name when you set up the transfer in your banking app. if it's some random guy's name, you are just gifting him a vacation. good for you for standing your ground on the video call.
everyone moving for the dnv needs to hear this. the pressure to have an address for the visa application makes us targets. i actually had an 'agent' try to charge me a 300 euro 'dnv priority fee' just to put my name on a waiting list in gracia. it's getting ridiculous out there. did they send you a contract at least? or was it just chat?
thanks for putting this together. bilbao is getting almost as bad as barcelona lately with the housing shortage. did you involve the policia nacional or just take the loss? i have heard they can search the bank account info if it was a spanish iban but usually the money is gone instantly.
honestly i disagree that it's just telegram. i've seen these same photos on idealista too. the scammers pay for the listings to look verified. the reverse image search is literally the only way to be sure. don't trust the platform filters, they are easy to bypass. glad you didn't lose your money. i lost 800 last year on a flat in eixample and the police basically told me there was zero chance of getting it back.
it's true. the mossos d'esquadra have thousands of these reports. unless the scammer is local and very stupid, they never get caught. i know someone who tracked the bank account to a stolen identity in the uk. case closed.
good catch on the reverse image search. i almost fell for a similar thing near Poblenou earlier this summer. the "previous tenant isn't comfortable" line is the classic go-to excuse for why they can't show the place. if you can't see it via live video or in person, it doesn't exist. period. housing in barcelona is so competitive that people get desperate and skip the due diligence. glad you stayed sharp.
exactly. even if you're still abroad on the dnv process, you can find local services to go visit the flat for you for like 50 euros. it's worth it to avoid losing a 500 euro deposit.
that barcelona housing telegram channel is 90 percent scams at this point. it's basically a hive for people looking to exploit dnv holders who don't know the local market yet. any real agency here will have an office you can find on google maps with actual reviews going back years. if the only contact is a telegram handle, just block and move on.
it is crazy how professional these scams look now. they use high res photos stolen from idealista or airbnb and it looks totally legit. glad you finally got through the process though. having that doc list is going to save someone a few thousand euros. the telegram pattern is definitely the biggest giveaway. if it is not on the platform or email it is a hard pass.