Warning of accommodation fraud ahead of new college term

As college students gear up for the new academic year, they have been cautioned about a sharp increase in accommodation fraud cases reported to the Gardaí. According to the latest figures, there were 230 incidents of accommodation scams in the first half of the year, resulting in losses of over €410,000 — a marked rise from the same period last year, when there were 160 cases.

The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau attributes these incidents to criminals posting fake adverts on popular rental websites such as daft.ie and booking.com. They actively collaborate with these platforms when they detect fraudulent advertisements.

The rise in accommodation fraud is particularly concerning as students scramble to secure housing for the new term. Gardaí and the National Economic Crime Bureau have emphasized the importance of vigilance and warned students to be cautious of red flags. These include extremely low rental prices, a strong sense of urgency, and requests for payment via unconventional methods like cash, cryptocurrency, or non-bank transfers.

Detective Inspector Alan Govern stressed that students should be wary of those who promise easy money, particularly through money mule schemes. Money mules are individuals who receive stolen funds and transfer them to another account, often in exchange for money or gifts. Such individuals are typically young, aged between 18 and 24.

Govern highlighted that criminal networks are increasingly targeting teenagers and young adults through social media, often using fake job advertisements to trap victims. The consequences of being a money mule are severe, with potential convictions and prison sentences of up to four years. Parents are advised to watch for signs such as their children suddenly acquiring expensive items or displaying drastic behavioral changes, which could indicate they have become entangled in a criminal scheme.