The scam pattern is always the same: great photos, below-market price, landlord "abroad," wire the deposit now. Rules that keep you safe:
1. Never wire money before a live video tour. Photos prove nothing. 2. Book university housing first. It is boring and safe, which is the point for month one. 3. Use platforms with reviews: SpareRoom and Rightmove in the UK, WG-Gesucht in Germany, Kijiji and Facebook groups in Canada (with caution). 4. Reverse-image-search the listing photos. Stolen photos are the classic tell. 5. Read the contract length. A 51-week private tenancy costs far more than a 39-week hall contract at the same weekly price. 6. Ask who holds the deposit. The UK has deposit protection schemes; if the landlord cannot name one, walk away. Sources: EducationUSA Pay for one month in a hostel or Airbnb on arrival if you must. It beats losing a 1,500 EUR deposit to a ghost.
