Police investigate rental scam using an Airbnb apartment

Police are investigating fraud and attempted fraud after people allegedly posed as landlords and advertised homes they did not control, including an Airbnb apartment in Espoo, Yle reports.

Antti Valtavaara, who rents out an apartment in Tapiola for short stays through Airbnb, began receiving messages this autumn from people who had been offered long-term leases there. Someone had copied photos from his Airbnb listing and posted rental ads on Qasa and Oikotie, property marketplace websites.

Police say around 10 people have lost money after being asked to pay reservation fees or rent in advance for homes the alleged landlords had no authority over. The investigation is being led by Hannu Väänänen of the West Uusimaa Police Department.

One person who responded to an ad on Qasa was Sanni Fredriksson. She accepted a lease starting on October 1 and paid a deposit and the first month’s rent, totalling just over 2,000 euros. When she went to collect the keys at the agreed time and place, nobody appeared. She could no longer reach the person posing as her landlord.

The apartment Fredriksson had rented belonged to Valtavaara. Someone had booked it through Airbnb for one day and arranged a viewing there without his knowledge.

Fredriksson said the person initially seemed trustworthy. They spoke by phone, and the rental agreement appeared genuine. In hindsight, she said, the person had rushed her to sign. She urged renters not to let anyone hurry them and to ask for proof before paying.

Fredriksson transferred the money to a bank account opened in July. Yle verified that the person behind the scam held the account. Screenshots indicate it was with a German online-only bank. The Finnish Tax Administration said earlier this year that neobanks attract people involved in the grey economy and organised financial crime. Because accounts can be opened online, dishonest users may be able to provide false information.

Police advise people to verify who controls a property before making payments. Pressure to sign a lease quickly can be a warning sign.