How to identify scams in WG ads?

Fraud in WG and apartment listings (Wohnungsbetrug) is common — especially in Berlin/München. Typical red flags:

#Classic Scammer Scenarios

#Scenario 1: Keys by Mail

• The advertiser says "I'm out of the country, I'll send the keys with PayPal secure payment."
• Asks for the Kaution, then disappears.
• Never pay money without seeing the apartment.

#Scenario 2: AirBnB Clone

• Copies photos from a real AirBnB listing and puts them on WG-Gesucht.
• Lower price, "urgent" sale.
• Check photos with Google reverse image search.

#Scenario 3: Fake Contract

• There's a viewing, the apartment looks real.
• A contract is signed, Kaution is paid.
• Keys are not given / contract is fake / landlord turns out to be someone else.
• Ask for the landlord's Grundbuch (land registry) record or copy of ID.

#Red Flags Checklist

• Price is far below market value (e.g., 250 € WG in Berlin)
• Urgent sale story: "I've been transferred/died/am sick"
• Refuses to show the apartment
• Payment requested via PayPal/Western Union
• Mail/message in poor German or predominantly a foreign language
• Landlord is abroad, "a proxy will give the keys"
• "If you pay the Kaution first, I'll reserve the place"

#Green Flags

• It's possible to view the apartment in person
• Landlord shows their ID
• Payment via bank transfer (recorded)
• A Mietvertrag (official rental agreement) is signed
• An Übergabeprotokoll (handover protocol) is prepared

#In Case of Doubt

• Does the apartment address really exist? Check on Google Maps.
• Is the landlord's name in the land registry? Inquire at the city's Grundbuchamt.
• Prioritize listings with WG-Gesucht's "Verify" badge (blue tick).

If you've been scammed: Polizei (online: onlinewache.de) + report to the WG platform.