Rentals, fake listings online. The real estate agent reports "Fake photos and advance payments."
Ferrara, September 13, 2025 – The academic year begins, students arrive, and the shortage of available beds: this is the scam. This is the story of the mild and chaotic September our city experiences every year.
Of course, students are an added value to Ferrara's economic and social fabric, much less so those who, often from abroad, attempt to trick non-residents with bogus ads and a clear intent to defraud them. The one who has highlighted this phenomenon is Roberto Marzola, the real estate agent and owner of Progetto Casa (who represents Anama – Confesercenti).
"This year too," he told Carlino, "we're witnessing a worrying phenomenon. In fact, it's happened repeatedly that people looking to rent (mostly out-of-town students) have stumbled upon fake listings for apartments that have already been sold or are for sale."
The modus operandi, Marzola explains, is more or less always the same. "Often," he says, "those who post these ads using photos that don't match the properties themselves, or photos of properties listed in the agencies' for-sale sections, do so from abroad . To contact potential tenants, they're asked to use email only, and the ads never include a telephone number."
Then comes the attempt to collect the money . "When the scammers manage to establish a conversation with the potential tenant," the real estate agent continues, "they ask for the deposit, obviously without first showing them the property, with the promise that if the apartment doesn't meet expectations, the deposit will be immediately refunded."
In short, a truly proven method that pops up every year around this time of year on some real estate listing sites, even the most popular ones. Hence, Marzola takes this opportunity to offer some helpful advice, a sort of handbook, to avoid encountering this type of unpleasant situation.
"First and foremost," he continues, "you should avoid responding to this type of ad, always wary of anyone who doesn't explicitly provide a telephone number. Perhaps even more importantly, you should absolutely avoid handing over any money before viewing the property."
Furthermore, we would add that it is always advisable to consult professionals in the sector before making commitments of this type.
Finally, contractual compliance is key. "Whenever a tenant is interested in a property," he adds, "they must verify the energy compliance of the systems, request a proper contract from the owner, and, above all, verify that the property is actually owned by the person who rented it."
İl Resto Del Carlino
