Impersonationhigh risk

Remote Landlord Scams

When the landlord is conveniently out of town, out of the country, or unreachable

How This Scam Works

The listing appears

A rental listing is posted with real photos (often stolen from a legitimate listing or real estate site) at a competitive price to attract interest quickly.

The remote excuse

When the victim inquires about viewing, the 'landlord' explains they are overseas for work, on a mission trip, deployed in the military, or caring for a sick relative — and cannot show the property in person.

The virtual workaround

The scammer offers alternatives: drive by the property, look through windows, or rely on the listing photos. They may offer to 'mail the keys' once payment is received, or use a fake 'agent' to facilitate.

The payment request

With viewing obstacles established, the scammer pushes for a deposit or first month's rent via wire transfer, gift cards, or other untraceable methods. Once paid, the landlord becomes permanently unreachable.

Red Flags to Watch For

⚠Landlord claims to be out of the country, deployed overseas, or on a mission trip
⚠No in-person meeting or property showing is possible before payment
⚠Offers to mail keys after receiving a deposit — no legitimate landlord does this
⚠Suggests you view the property from outside only ('just drive by')
⚠Communication is exclusively through email with long, elaborate personal stories
⚠Landlord uses a free email service (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) rather than a property management domain

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What to Do If This Happens to You

✓Verify property ownership through county records or your local assessor's office before engaging further
✓Request a live video call with the landlord showing government-issued ID — scammers will refuse
✓Report the listing immediately to the platform if you suspect fraud
✓If you paid, contact your bank and file reports with the FTC and local police
✓Search the listing photos using reverse image search (Google Images, TinEye) to check if they appear on other listings

Where This Scam Is Common

New York City Miami Atlanta Chicago

How To Verify A Landlord →Verify Landlord Is Real Before Paying →Signs Of A Fake Rental Listing →

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Some legitimate landlords do live in different cities or countries and manage their properties remotely. However, a legitimate remote landlord will always have a local property manager, agent, or representative who can show the property in person. They will never ask for payment before a viewing.

This is one of the most common remote landlord scam templates. The 'landlord' claims to be a Christian missionary serving overseas, or a military member deployed abroad, who needs a responsible tenant for their home. The story is designed to build trust through sympathy and shared values while explaining why they cannot meet in person.

Scammers steal photos from legitimate real estate listings, Zillow, Realtor.com, Airbnb, or social media. They may also use photos from properties that were recently sold or taken off the market. A reverse image search can often reveal the original source of stolen photos.

This is a guaranteed scam indicator. No legitimate landlord or property manager will mail keys to a property you have never toured in exchange for a deposit. Walk away immediately and report the listing to the platform.

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