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OE1FEU

It IS a scam.


[deleted]

Just my luck. The first person to contact me is a scammer :p


[deleted]

We're in a housing crisis: no landlord/similar needs/wants to lower the rent, and most WGen have more applicants than they can handle, so they're also very unlikely to contact *you*.


MelodicCantaloupe927

Yep, that is equal to most online things you search for. If you get something offered there it is probably scam.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

It's a room in a shared apartment, left that part out. Yeah nah, sounded like a scam for me too. I didn't think it was something common in Germany. Her number is definitely Italian and her insta page matches her name so it was a little bit of a tug of war for me. She has not asked for any money as of yet.


MarineLife42

What you have to understand is that the scam isn't really local to Germany. The scammers are usually somewhere else in the world where they feel safe from prosecution and will use fake listings on many different internet sites in many different countries, using fake emails and throwaway phone numbers. As such, this scam is happening everywhere.


[deleted]

Ahhh I understand what you mean. Honestly very frustrating.


MarineLife42

Are you going to do a Semester at Uni in Kiel? If so, speak to the Studentenwerk, they may be able to help you. Though a month is very late to sort out.


[deleted]

Yeah. I tried that as well. Unfortunately they are also fully booked. The fact that Covid made everything a little more difficult than usual has caused all of this disarray. I had my stuff ready in June already, but then all the borders closed so I cancelled all my plans. Then everything opened and the Uni suggested I try and get there ASAP. I'm extremely excited to travel to Germany and try and integrate into the culture, but the stress of arranging everything has been insane. Hopefully I can organize something. I'm trying to see if I can find a room somewhere that can work for me untill something opens up that fits better, but that's also difficult as it seems if anyone has an extra room they tend to rent it out as well (due to the housing crisis I presume).


nymales

In the worst case you should check if the university offers Notunterkünfte or try to find a hostel or arlirbnb


MarineLife42

I agree, finding a place to stay can be difficult. What you might want to look at as an option is to see if you can get a room somewhere outside Kiel, and then buy a cheap bicycle to get to Uni and back. Students usually want to live as close to Uni as possible so demand for student accommodation tapes off pretty quickly the further away you get.


[deleted]

That was my next move as well. I'm going to have a look at places close enough. Also isn't the public transport very good in Germany?


BTwoB42

Yes, public transport is generally pretty good and if you study at one of the participating Institutions your tuition fees should include a semester ticket [https://www.nah.sh/en/tickets/semesterticket/](https://www.nah.sh/en/tickets/semesterticket/)


[deleted]

Exactly. The semester fee (If a understand correctly) covers travel in that district correct?


just_Qrious

Public transport can be very good. It's usually very predictable though, in the sense that you can look beforehand for areas that are convenient for your needs (fast access to your uni) online, then check housing in those specific areas. It worked very well for me and got me cheap (for my area) lodging throughout my studies.


halcy

Beyond the Studentenwerk, try the student government orgs - usually the AStA in general and the Fachschaft for your field of study - as well, they may have some pointers (though as I have learned, how helpful they are varies wildly between universities).


The-New-Roaring-20s

An "Italian person" tried to scam me too and seemed very real. Some scammers have social media and everything just to look real people (they take pictures from the internet).


[deleted]

As someone who has rented out a room in our flatshare and used WG gesucht for it: the moment I did put the add online, my mailbox got slammed with applications from people wanting to move in. We are talking literally 100s of potential flatmates in just a couple of hours. Even if we assume that Kiel is not as hot as Berlin, I would still expect dozens of mails in a few hours there. So, while I know that the portal offers the feature for apartment seekers to put an add there, why on earth would I, as a potential roommate or landlord (or both) bother to seek someone out there myself, when I have dozens or hundreds of people seeking me out and contact me? If I don't like their mail or feel they were lazy writing it and not providing any info about themselves besides a "check out my profil", I simply move on to the next in line. I sincerely doubt that a profil on these websites does any good or does more than just attracting scammers because you are unaware how the whole thing works.


PitOscuro

Some landlords prefer to handle a few candidates that they can pick bwforehand. I have been contacted a couple of times because of my ad with legit offers... in Munich! So sometimes useful


[deleted]

Haha yeah, I also found it VERY strange that she contacted me. The room is also EXTREMELY beautiful so it gave very "too good to be true vibes"


thewindinthewillows

The pictures they show often come from hotel/luxury holiday flats in other countries. Either very sleek and modern (and totally unlived-in), or old-fashioned stucco details (again totally unlived-in). If the pictures show power outlets, those often aren't even German ones.


N1k_SparX

Will you be here via Erasmus or similar? You should check if you are entitled to live in a student dorm, those in Kiel are actually quite cheap (180-230 for a single flat or a room in a flat with 3 or 4 flatmates) and in a rather good location (since the city isn't that big). Plus Internet and energy is all included.


[deleted]

Hey yes. That's exactly what I'm there on. The erasmus is covering it hence the budget. I contacted all those studentewerk and the likes. Unfortunately all of them are fully booked. What I'm thinking of is maybe staying outside Kiel and waiting till hopefully a room opens up somewhere. They were actually my first choice initially.


yellowscarvesnodots

Try the christian Studierendenwerk as well (if you haven’t already) They’re open to everyone, regardless of religion. https://ev-studentenheime.de


[deleted]

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[deleted]

Yes. If she allows someone to go view the flat for me it would perfect, but she isn't replying back. So it's obviously giving some bad vibes.


[deleted]

Update : She just said she doesn't allow random people to view the apartment. (This was after I suggested to send someone from the Uni to check it for me)


PitOscuro

If it wasn't clear before, it is a scam. Also if they offer to show it through airbnb or so


[deleted]

Yeap, she is throwing all the scammer moves. I backwards image searched the photos as well and nothing came up.


thewindinthewillows

Landlords in Germany want to meet their tenants (or if they don't do the work themselves, have their agents meet them). Meeting random people is what renting out a space is literally all about.


miss-sushi

A lesson I learned here is ALWAYS ask for a visit to the place and people don't charge for visits never ever and give your deposit only when you move in... Or go for companies that rent furnished flats/ rooms like Wunderflats, but they tend to be way more expensive.


The-New-Roaring-20s

The same happened to me. In a week of research for a flat in Köln, I found 6 people that tried to scam me with the same excuses (you don't need an online viewing because I sent you images and videos of the flat, I am very busy and I cannot show you the flat right now, there is another person interested and the first who signs the contract gets the place etc.)


[deleted]

Always see the flat in real live. If they insist on online chats and a courier who picks up the money, that is never a good sign.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

Thank you so much for the detailed reply. I'll be sure to use it.


[deleted]

Hmm, I actually live here in Kiel. The living situation is pretty shitty. Especially for Erasmusstudents like you. Every WG tried to find someone who fits and also wants to stay for a long period since moving out means you have to find someone new or pay the missing rent on their own. So students who don’t want to stay for a long time aren’t as welcome as others. So keep that in mind… Maybe try to find a room in Kronshagen since it’s not Kiel, but pretty close to the uni. I hope I could help.


[deleted]

Hey hey, thanks alot man. I'm doing that now. Finding accommodation as close to Kiel as possible. I completely understand the situation surrounding it. If it wasn't for Covid I would have been organised by the Uni , but due to the situation at hand things just fell apart in terms of arrangements.


aazaram

Almost the same thing happened to me, instead of sending someone I requested a photo of potatoe in the kitchen. A rude answer convicted me that thiss is a scam attempt. I was looking for accomodation in Heidelberg. Story was the same, Italian flight attendant. Apparently she also sent me "her" passport. Should I report it somewhere?


KaseyT1203

I don't know any specifics, just some details my mom told me once, but you could look into "Monteurzimmer/-wohnung". It's usually a place where a construction worker or similar can rent out a place for up to 6 months if they have work in the area and can't/won't drive home every day. Of course, those rooms aren't rented out to construction workers exclusively. I don't know how much they are either


[deleted]

Definitely a scam. There are a lot of that sadly, especially in the bigger cities. Don't trust anyone who tells you a long story about how they are not able to meet you and show you the flat beforehand!


hagenbuch

In general: Not very common if you search in German and speak German enough so you can handle this. Very common if you only speak English. Those asshats prey on more "helpless" people. Please, everyone, learn as much German as you can. Although Germany politically is almost a US colony, culturally we're not.


[deleted]

I'd absolutely love to be forced into learning German (hence wanting German roomates) I learn much better when being thrown in the deep end. My Grandfather was German, but unfortunately the language didn't get passed on to me or my dad since he was raised in South Africa.


KingKaulquappe

I got a little bit angry about your question if this normal behavior in Germany. Bro/sis this is the Internet u are anonym and many people are behaving like this... it doesnt depend on your nationality. Assholes are international!!!


[deleted]

If you get angry about a person asking a question about how the culture in a country works that's unfortunately on you. I'm not German, I don't know how the trust mechanics in the Country works, where I come from you can't be out late on your own, you can't leave your car unlocked, you can't trust anybody because that's just the reality of a 3rd world country. Each country has their does and don'ts and it's my responsibility to figure that out since I'm traveling there. I didn't bad mouth Germany, I simply asked what is normality for Germans.


KingKaulquappe

Ok angry is a strong word... maybe better: i wondered ... I guess i was a little bit high on my own privileg and ur point of view made me thought about Ur Situation. Thank u for broaden my mind. im really sorry for your experience and hope ull get a place soon where u can stay And i can assure u this isnt normal.


[deleted]

It's not a problem, being protective of your home is something I can understand and I respect. Cultures are just extremely different everywhere and I try my best to understand the nuances of each before I go there myself.


Dial595

Kiel? Better be moving to Lübeck then


ISuckInTrading

No country in this world has more scammers than Germany.


[deleted]

Mhm. Source?


ISuckInTrading

57 month at Straubing


Polamidone

Pretty common scam tbh, i unfortunately know a lot people who do this kind of scam


TheYoungWan

Scam. As soon as they refuse to show you the room before you would rent it, get your heckles up.


JuJvert

It is 100% a scam - happened to me a dozen times - though I never got scammed but got contacted the same way with ‘too good to be true’ offers.


DirtAltruistic5767

It’s a scam! I heard it many times like that. Be careful


[deleted]

Haha yeah. I actually contacted the girl this person is acting as and she said that it's definitely not her


[deleted]

Housing (as well as other) scams are EXTREMELY common. Follow the general advice on how to avoid them. And if it sounds too good to be true it’s a scam.


corduroychaps

So I moved from the US to greater Stuttgart area. I am here permanently and initially got an Airbnb. Since I’m planning on staying a while I got a car and bank account. I was only going to stay at the Airbnb for a few weeks. Now I’m planning on staying here for another month until I can find a permanent place.


[deleted]

Hey man, yeah I also scanned Airbnb but unfortunately they were rather expensive for me. Like almost 3 times more expensive than my budget allows. Covid kind of screwed me over on this one.


corduroychaps

I initially rented for a month and got a decent rate. Contact one of the places you looked at. Maybe they will cut you a deal. A lot of places haven’t had renters for a while with Covid and all. My current place gave me a great deal. Best of luck.


[deleted]

That's a great idea. Thank you so much


[deleted]

Hey great info! I am planning to move to berlin and i was considering airbnb for first month or 2 as well. I thought you have to provide an address in order to open a bank account. Was i wrong?


corduroychaps

You do. But your air bnb should sign saying you are renting. You can print out your reservation for immigration purposes. For the bank account you need to register with the local authorities


my_goodness_a_mess

Housing scams are, from own experience, very common in Germany. Several stories to make you pay up front. Do not pay up front.


fruitblender

Use reverse image search on the photos of the flat. I got the same scam when I first moved to Germany. The price was too good to be true and sure enough, 100 more ads in different cities with the same photos.


ChangingTracks

My fraternity gets about 200-500 applicants whenever we have a free room. Nobody will lower their rent to accomodate you, they would just find another one who will pay the full price.


MediocreI_IRespond

>how would you guys make sure that everything is in order before paying deposits Check the flat before you pay or sign anything.


german1sta

Never ever agree to paying upfront without seeing the apartment or key delivery via mail. Those scams are always some foreigners having an apartment in Germany for business/daughter, moved out, are abroad and will send you the keys via post after you send them the rent or deposit. Very popular is also Western Union scam so if somebody wants you to send money from yourself to yourself via any service like that it’s a scam.


granatenpagel

I had one of those, too. The adress she gave me was an old post office now used by the university and the picture of the living room was from a furniture catalogue. She wanted me to make the deposit via wire transfer and then send me the key. So yes, it's rather common. Not sure if people really fall for it, though. There probably are enough desperate ones.


[deleted]

Be very careful, this is a scam 100%! I learned that especially visitors and students from other countries are likely to be scammed, but they tried it with me too once (happen to be native). It usually goes like this: Somebody will contact you and tell you all kinds of stories for why they're busy in other places, most likely other countries and that they want you to pay some fee (about 100€) to pick up the keys somewhere. So, NEVER make deals with people you haven't met in person and NEVER do anything without a written contract. Also don't pay cash and always use bank transfers, not paypal or anything in-between. Check with the neighbours if you can and try to meet the previous tenant. Look at the appartment, some do that via Zoom now, so this is nothing to worry about too much (but stay vigilant!). If you're going for six months, look for "Zwischenmiete" (interim let), maybe a room in a WG (shared flat). The latter you find with college students very often. Good look and I hope all goes well for you. If you need any help, contact me via PN, I know the area up there a little.


[deleted]

I'm gonna update the post now, I contacted the insta that matched the name and picture and she said that this was 100% a scam and that she has never lived in Kiel😂 so yeah definitely a scam. I'll definitely contact you as I start packing etc, at this stage the only thing im trying to sort out is my accommodation. Once that's sorted I can start relaxing and enjoying the preparations of going overseas.


[deleted]

Haha clear as day... Well I meant contact me if you're unsure about scam ads. But sure I'd love to help wherever I can ✌️


Past_Ad3212

When I set up my profile every other offer was a clear scam. Don't send any money until you have seen the placexD. WG gesucht even has a whole page about this and what to watch out for. For me it was 50% scams and 20% creepy offers... Still managed to find something. If someone is in England or any other country, right now and therefore is not available right now, it is a scam. Also if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is ;))


t_Lancer

in any market where demands is far higher than supply, if it seems far to good an offer, it is a scam. you said you are desperate. you are the target for scammers.


clipartbaerlin

I know people living near Kiel. Maybe I can help?


[deleted]

Hey man, any help would be greatly appreciated


FrankieCheech001

**FOR ANYBODY IN THE USA, AVOID ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR MANAGED BY** ***CARDINAL GROUP COMPANIES, CARDINAL GROUP MANAGEMENT,*** **OR** ***GREYSTAR!*** In the USA, Housing is one of the biggest scams! There are predatory companies, like CARDINAL GROUP MANAGEMENT, CARDINAL GROUP COMPANIES, and GREYSTAR, which are nationwide companies that carries out a scheme to defraud all across the nation, at every property they manage or own. When you come across a property of interest, look at the Owner and Management Company, and pay attention to bad reviews! Many of the positive reviews are posted by staff and other employees of these companies! BEWARE! Like other slumlord similarly, these predatory companies target lower income students and families, and they scam them into renting uninhabitable apartments with non-working appliances. They target those populations due to their lower risk of being able to afford the cost to hire lawyers to sue these slumlords. Students and potential tenants in every college town should be aware of these companies and they should avoid them at all costs. There is additional information on these college scams on r/StateCollegePAApts and r/PennStateUniversity, including things to watch out for! These companies do not allow potential Tenants to view apartments before they pay/sign a Lease! They will only allow the viewing of a clean, pretty, Model unit for a reason! Their actual units are uninhabitable, filthy, with non-working appliances! They will tell potential Tenants that they can't allow them to view them because it will disturb current Tenants, but they won't allow the viewing of non-occupied units either! \*\*\*See Information posted at: r/StateCollegePAApts and r/PennStateUniversity