As students gear up for the 2025 academic year, social media platforms like Facebook, have seen a surge in fake accommodation scams, where scammers prey on desperate students looking for housing solutions. Typically, the scammers solicit upfront payments, usually under the guise that there are limited spots, before they vanish, leaving students stranded.
Facebook, is known as a popular platform for student housing pages, but it has become a hotbed for these scams.
Fake advertisement often including stunning photos of the properties, usually posted without the knowledge of the real owners.
Once the money is transferred, the scammer withdraws it, blocks the student on all communication platforms and disappears.
Many students after paying the requested amount, visit the advertised accommodation only to find out that it doesn’t exist or it is owned by someone else.
These types of scams are common as students prepares to go back to their respective institutions for the new semester.
Simphiwe Mavuso, 20, who is a second year Business Administration student at Regends Business School, in, Johannesburg, Gauteng, fell victim to such scam while looking for accommodation during her first year.
Mavuso said she found an advertisement on a Facebook group for students accommodation and was stunned by the pictures and detailed description, which included high-quality furniture, security features, and laundry facilities.
“The accommodation offer seemed legitimate at first because the person posting the ad provided clear photos of the apartment and a detailed description of the amenities,” she told IOL News.
“I was asked to pay R5,000 upfront, which I paid directly to the scammer's bank account.”
Looking back, Mavuso acknowledged missing several red flags that could have prevented her from being scammed.
“I missed some red flags, such as the person asking for payment upfront without a proper lease agreement,” she said.
“I reported the scam to the college’s student affairs department, and they helped me file a report with the police.”
Mavuso said the scam significantly impacted her living situation, forcing her to find a new accommodation quickly.
”It was tough, but I was able to find a new accommodation with the help of friends and family.”
Despite the setbacks, Mavuso said she has become more cautious about using online platforms, though she has not completely lost trust in them.
“I believe that with proper precautions and research, online platforms can still be a useful tool for finding accommodation,” she said.
Mavuso advised students, especially ‘freshers’ to thoroughly research the landlord or property manager and avoid making upfront payments without a proper lease agreement.
Speaking with IOL News, Private Student Housing Association’s (PSHA) chief executive officer, Kagisho Mamabolo recommended students to opt for accredited accommodations by their institutions to ensure safety and reliability.
“Most universities accredit student accommodation providers to ensure that these providers comply with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) minimum norms and standards and the university’s standards,” Mamabolo said.
“Students can also contact the student housing department on campus to verify the legitimacy of the accommodation.”
Mamabolo stressed the importance of visiting the properties in person, assessing the safety and services offered at the facility, and reading online reviews where possible.
He advised students to request proof of accreditation and insists to pay through electronic funds transfer (EFT), to a registered bank account to avoid scams.
“Students must request an invoice and once received, they must check the accuracy of the landlord’s details on the invoice,” Mamabolo added.
For those funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), he recommended consulting scheme of payment procedures to ensure that they align with the institution’s processes.
“This is because NSFAS has multiple payment methods, and these differ from one institution to another,” he said.
Mamabolo in cases where issues are not addressed, he encouraged students to escalate their concerns to the institution’s housing department.
“Fraud is common so students must ensure they reside with a reputable landlord,” he said.
Meanwhile, the South African Landlords Association (SALA), described several types of rental fraud, including phantom rentals, hijacked listings, and fake agency scams.
Phantom rentals involves non-existent properties with photos stolen from other sources, while hijacked listings involve scammers posing as legitimate property owners.
Fake agency scams involve fraudsters posing to be rental agents, demanding fees for services such as background checks.
The SALA advised: “Never send money before viewing the property, avoid using untraceable payment methods, verify the property and landlord through public records, and stick to reputable rental platforms that offer fraud protection.”
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has also issued a warning about online scams.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi cautioned the public about cybercriminals exploiting using online platforms to steal money from victims.
“Investigation reveals that the majority of victims deposit a large sum of cash and buy an advertised item that has been published on social media platforms, only to discover that the seller does not exist,” Nevhuhulwi.
She advised people to ensure the credibility of the seller before making any payment and to be cautious about sharing personal information.
”Some scammers will just publish an advertisement so that you can pay money directly to them, others will be less obvious,” she warned.
“They will try to trick you into giving them personal information they can use to get access to your finances and steal your identity,” Nevhuhulwi said in a statement released last year.
IOL News