The number of recorded fraud cases involving services that were paid for but never delivered in Berlin rose by almost one third in 2025 compared to the previous year. The police crime statistics (PKS) list a total of 4,862 cases – an increase of 1,184 cases, or 32.2 percent compared to 2024. The police also attribute this, among other things, to a rise in fraud offenses linked to fictitious housing offers. “The current housing situation in Berlin means apartment seekers increasingly willing to make advance payments without ever having seen the apartment,” the police said.

These cases involve situations in which payment is collected for promised services that are never provided. They do not constitute a separate criminal offense under the law. The PKS does not indicate in how many of the nearly 5,000 cases an apartment was promised. The police only publish a summary of the figures in spring; more detailed data to follow later in the year.

Housing fraud: Criminals demand deposits for non-existent apartments

The perpetrators’ methods can vary. According to the consumer advice center, the following scenario is common: the supposed landlord claims to be abroad, so no viewing can take place. However, he promises to send the key or deliver it by courier and demands a deposit. “Once the transfer has been made, you will receive neither a matching apartment key nor a response from the alleged landlord,” writes the consumer advice center.

Sometimes a key is sent, but it does not fit any apartment door. In some cases, the apartment does not exist at all. Sometimes payment of the deposit is made a condition for signing a rental contract or even for a viewing. “Especially in regions where the housing shortage is particularly severe, prospective tenants are happy about any viewing they are invited to,” the consumer advice center notes.

Recognizing warning signs of housing fraud and how to respond

Recognizing a fraudulent listing at first glance is difficult, says Wiebke Werner, managing director of the Berlin Tenants’ Association (BMV). When communicating with the supposed landlord, there are sometimes warning signs – for example, if the email address originates from another country or if the listing is in German but all communication takes place in English.

“If there is no willingness to allow a viewing, if excuses are being made such as being out of the country, and at the latest when advance payment is requested, all alarm bells should ring,” says Werner. “The deposit is only due at the beginning of the tenancy.” One problem, she adds, is that many people are not aware of their rights or do not speak German. “The housing market in Berlin has been tense for years, and the difficulties faced by newcomers are growing.”

Werner advises victims of such fraud to inform the platforms as quickly as possible so that the provider is blocked. In addition, a report should be filed. “And as a general rule: never transfer a deposit or rent if you do not yet have a rental contract and have not viewed the apartment.”

Fraud overall declining, but significantly more credit card fraud

While figures in this specific area have risen, overall fraud in Berlin has declined. The PKS reports a total of 61,515 cases for 2025. That is around 16,000 fewer than in 2021 (87,860). The numbers have been decreasing since then; in 2024, there were still 64,414 cases.

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The most significant decline was in cases of goods and goods credit fraud. The PKS 2025 records 16,228 cases – 6,630 fewer than in 2024, a drop of 29 percent. By contrast, credit card fraud (“fraud or computer fraud using unlawfully obtained cashless means of payment”) increased. In 2025, there were a total of 16,200 cases, 3,407 more than in 2024, a rise of 26.2 percent.

The deeper the look into the details, the more dramatic the increase. “Fraud or computer fraud using unlawfully obtained cashless means of payment also includes fraud using unlawfully obtained payment cards without a PIN,” the police write in the PKS. “Here cases rose by 1,649 to a total of 4,349 (+61.1 percent), which is likely related to the increase in contactless payments in shops – without entering a PIN or providing a signature.”

This article was originally written and published on the 20th of March in German. It was translated in English with the use of Artificial Intelligence.