Madrid is once again discussing the problem of rental fraud in the housing market. A recent incident that occurred in several city districts has highlighted just how vulnerable tenants are to scammers. For many Spaniards, this case became a wake-up call: even when signing an official contract and paying a deposit, you can still be duped and lose significant sums of money.
According to El Pais, National Police officers have arrested a woman suspected of orchestrating a series of rental scams. Investigators say she would rent tourist apartments and then post ads on popular online platforms, posing as the real owner. Prospective tenants were invited for viewings, after which contracts were signed and deposits or guarantees collected.
How the scam worked
The woman, a Spanish citizen born in 1985, used fake documents to rent apartments in the Arganzuela and Puente de Vallecas districts. She then organized viewings for several groups of unsuspecting tenants. Each group would sign a contract and pay an advance, expecting to move in within days.
The fraud was revealed when several tenants showed up to move in at the same time and found each other in the same apartment. At that moment, it became clear they had all fallen victim to the same scammer. According to El Pais, over four months she managed to collect more than 20,000 euros from twelve victims.
Investigation and Arrest
The first police reports came in during the summer, when one tenant, after paying a deposit and receiving the keys, found someone else living in the apartment. This other person also presented a rental agreement. An investigation followed, revealing that the scheme had been repeated in different parts of the city.
Law enforcement identified the suspect and organized an operation to detain her. The woman was arrested and charged with fraud and document forgery. She is currently under investigation, and the case files have been sent to court. Police do not rule out an increase in the number of victims, as the investigation is ongoing.
Market Consequences
This case has once again raised questions about transaction security in Spain’s rental housing market. Despite advances in digital platforms and tighter controls, scammers continue to find new ways to commit fraud. In recent years, similar schemes have been reported in Madrid and other major cities, with perpetrators renting apartments short-term and then subletting them to several people at once before disappearing with the money.
In 2025, a similar case was uncovered in Barcelona, where a group of individuals deceived more than 15 tenants using forged documents and fake listings. The losses then exceeded 30,000 euros. Valencia and Seville also reported incidents in which fraudsters used online platforms to find victims. Experts recommend verifying documents, avoiding advance payments, and turning to trusted agencies to minimize risks.
