Students warned about housing scams in Copenhagen as market tightens

Each year, thousands of new students desperately search for housing before the start of their studies. This search is particularly challenging in Copenhagen, which has prompted scammers to exploit the pressure of the tight housing market. The National Special Crime Unit (NSK) is now warning students about potential housing fraud.

“There is significant competition for affordable housing in major cities, and unfortunately, the scammers are well aware of this,” says Kresten Munksgaard, head of Prevention and Analysis at NSK. Scammers often post pictures of properties they do not own on Facebook groups, pressuring students to pay deposits or advance rent before they have even seen the apartment.

Munskgaard explains that students are left without a place to live and out of pocket after falling victim to such scams. To avoid housing fraud, NSK advises students to verify property ownership through official websites, ensure the property is genuinely on the market by contacting the owner, and arrange for a viewing before making any payments. It is crucial to never pay in cash and to exercise caution if asked to transfer money abroad.

The problem is most pronounced in university cities like Aalborg, Odense, Aarhus, and especially Copenhagen, where rising housing prices lead to increased competition for low-cost rentals. Cornelia Glimberg, an incoming nursing student, is currently searching for an apartment and has noted suspicious inquiries in response to her posts on Facebook. These inquiries often come from recently created profiles lacking substantial information.

Students are advised to trust their instincts and remain vigilant, as many scammers can manage to display apartments they don’t rent out. Glimberg expresses concern over the vulnerability of students and suggests that reporting suspicious profiles on social media could help warn others about potential scams.