Fraudulent schemes: how Ukrainians are deceived with fake apartment rental ads

Many users face scams when searching for housing online. Fake ads, fictitious owners, and demands for upfront payments are among the common scams the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has warned about.

Online housing rental can be a dangerous game for those who are not careful. Fraudsters usually place false ads with attractive photos of apartments at low prices and demand urgent prepayment. After receiving the money, they disappear without a trace.

To avoid such scams, follow these tips:

Please make sure the ad and its author are authentic.

Use reverse image search to check if the photos have been stolen.

Never send money without a signed contract or to suspicious accounts.

Be vigilant and beware of overly attractive offers to avoid risking your finances.

In addition, in Kharkiv, lawyer Valentyn Melnyk was criticized for using a deepfake video with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The video, published on the lawyer’s Facebook page, did not include a warning about the use of artificial intelligence. Journalists conducted an investigation and concluded that the material was artificially generated. There is a high probability that the lawyer intentionally used the president’s image to enhance his firm’s reputation and attract clients. Such actions are unethical and manipulative, especially in wartime.