In short
- Never pay a reservation fee or deposit before you have seen the flat and signed a contract.
- Check in the Land Register (Zemesgrāmata) that the seller or landlord really owns the flat.
- A price far below the market and pressure to hurry are the two most common warning signs.
- If you suspect fraud, call 112 and contact your bank straight away.
Common scams in flat listings
Most scams start with a listing that looks too good. The State Police (Valsts policija) investigated a case where a man posted rental ads online with photos taken from the internet, posed as an estate agent and asked people to transfer money to "reserve" the flat. Most of those flats were never actually for rent.
The most common schemes:
- Reservation fee for a flat that isn't available. You are asked to send a small amount to "hold" the flat until you can view it.
- The owner is abroad. The seller or landlord supposedly can't meet, so the keys will be "sent" after you pay.
- Fake power of attorney or documents. Someone who is not the owner handles the deal with forged papers.
- Fake payment link. You get a link to a "secure payment" or "portal guarantee" page that is really run by the scammers.
Warning signs
One sign on its own doesn't mean fraud. Two or three together are a reason to stop and check.
- The price is well below similar flats in the same neighbourhood
- You are rushed: "three other people are interested, you need to pay today"
- Money is requested before the viewing or before a contract
- The seller can't meet in person or show the flat
- Contact only through messaging apps, and the number keeps changing
- Payment is requested to a private account abroad or in crypto
- The name in the passport doesn't match the owner in the Land Register
How to check before you pay
Three simple steps stop most schemes.
First, check the owner in the Land Register. The record shows who owns the flat and whether a mortgage or a prohibition is registered.
Second, meet in person at the flat and compare the seller's ID document with the Land Register entry. If someone acts under a power of attorney, ask to see it and complete the purchase at a notary.
Third, pay only after the contract is signed and only to an account that belongs to the owner. For the purchase price, use a notary's deposit or a bank escrow account, not cash or a direct transfer.
If you have already been scammed
Act immediately. The first hours matter most.
- Call your bank and ask them to stop the payment.
- Report it to the police on 112 or by filing a statement with the State Police.
- Save the listing, screenshots of your messages, the phone number and the account number.
- Report the listing to the portal so it is taken down and nobody else gets caught.
If the fraud involves a purchase contract you have already signed or the ownership itself, talk to a lawyer or a notary.
How often this happens
Fraud in Latvia is getting more expensive. In 2025 the State Police registered 8,701 fraud-related incidents, and in 3,165 cases people lost at least 23.7 million euros in total. The police note that in some cases people even sell their property to hand the money to scammers.
In the flat market, scammers play on the buyer's or tenant's fear of missing a good deal. A calm check is the best protection.
Common questions
Can I pay a deposit before viewing a flat?
No. The State Police advise paying nothing until you have seen the home in person and signed a contract.
How do I check that a landlord owns the flat?
Find the record in the Land Register by address or cadastral number and compare the owner's name with the document you are shown.
Where do I report a scam listing?
To the police on 112 or by filing a statement with the State Police, to your bank if you have paid, and to the listing portal.
Is a seller who lives abroad always a scammer?
No, but then the deal should go through a notary with a verified power of attorney, and you pay only after the contract.
Sources
- Valsts policija pabeidz izmeklēšanu lietā par dzīvokļu īrnieku sērijveida apkrāpšanu · Valsts policija
- 23,7 miljoni eiro krāpnieku rokās · Valsts policija, 2026
- Atklāta dzīvokļu izkrāpšanas shēma · Valsts policija
- Zemesgrāmatu portāls · Tiesu administrācija
This article is for information only and is not legal, financial or tax advice. It may contain mistakes or be out of date, so check it against official sources or with a specialist before you decide. m²cena accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of the information in this article.