I thought I’d got my dream flat – so did 23 others

I thought I d got my dream – Last summer, Mide Awosika, a 20-year-old student, believed she had finally found her ideal living space just in time for her new academic year at Queen Mary University in London. Alongside two roommates, she and her team paid a £12,000 deposit to rent a four-bedroom apartment in Poplar, east London. However, the joy of securing the property was short-lived. On the day of the move, the trio discovered they were not the only ones anticipating the keys—nine other individuals were also waiting in line, all hoping to take possession of the same flat. The rental scam had already begun before they even arrived.

The Scam Unfolds

The flat had been listed on both OpenRent and Zoopla, two prominent rental platforms. During a viewing in July, the letting agent—identified as Derrick Fringe—assured Awosika and her flatmates that the property was available and urged them to act quickly. He described the situation as highly competitive, prompting the group to hand over three months’ rent upfront, along with holding and security deposits. But as the August move-in date approached, Fringe revealed a new twist: the current tenants had refused to vacate, and bailiffs were being called in to enforce the eviction. By then, the agent had vanished, leaving the group stranded.

Awosika, realizing the magnitude of the problem, took to WhatsApp to create a support network. She said the group quickly swelled to include 23 others, all who had been duped into depositing money for the same flat. “It felt like everyone was in the same boat,” she recalled. The sense of urgency had been weaponized, with the agent using the competitive nature of the London rental market to pressure potential renters. This tactic left many victims scrambling to secure their places, only to find the property was already in dispute.

The Cost of Fraud

Report Fraud, a consumer advocacy group, highlighted the escalating financial toll of rental scams. According to their data, the number of reported cases had nearly doubled in the past five years, with the total cost to victims increasing from £7.2 million in 2021 to £14.5 million by 2025. These figures underscore a growing crisis in the rental sector, where fraudulent activities are becoming more sophisticated and widespread.

Among the affected were Freazy Warr, 24, and Nirrhit Pal, 23, who collectively transferred £7,200 to rent the flat. Like Awosika, they were promised immediate availability but ended up waiting in vain. “As the moving van pulled up, a friend warned us to cancel everything because two other groups were already lined up,” Warr shared. “My lease was ending, and I was petrified I’d have nowhere to live.” The pressure of London’s competitive housing market had made them feel trapped, forcing them to make hasty decisions without proper verification.

Systemic Failures in the Rental Market

Two young professionals working in Canary Wharf also fell victim to the same scheme. Satchit Warade and a fellow tenant, whose name was kept private, paid a £9,460 deposit after being rushed into a viewing. The agent claimed they had only 45 minutes to arrive, creating a false sense of urgency. On the day of the move, they tried contacting Fringe repeatedly—20 to 30 times—before finally reaching him. He informed them the existing tenants would not leave, and he would proceed with the eviction. The next day, they could not get through to him and had to report the incident to the police.

Warade described the ordeal as “harrowing.” “In situations like this, the pressure to act fast can make you feel like you have no choice but to trust the agent,” he said. “It’s not just about losing money; it’s about the trauma of not knowing whether your future is secure.” His experience mirrors that of many others who had been caught off guard by the agent’s manipulative tactics. The lack of transparency and the difficulty in verifying a letting agent’s credibility became glaring issues in the process.

Platforms’ Role in the Scandal

OpenRent, one of the platforms where the flat was listed, issued a statement expressing its sympathies to those affected. The company claimed it had a “comprehensive vetting system” to verify the legitimacy of landlords and properties. However, it admitted that users who pay off-platform—outside of its system—were at greater risk. “When customers choose to pay directly to a private individual, we can’t guarantee the safety of their funds,” a spokesperson noted. “Recovering money becomes more challenging when transfers are made off-platform.”

Meanwhile, Zoopla had not responded to the BBC’s inquiries. The flat was advertised as being managed by Propertiesmatter.com, an agent that once boasted itself as a “leading UK real estate agency” with “eight branches” and “170 staff.” Yet, the website had since been taken down, leaving little information about the agent’s operations. Only two staff members were named online, raising questions about the agent’s accountability and transparency.

A Call for Better Protection

Awosika’s experience has sparked a broader conversation about the need for stronger safeguards in the rental market. She emphasized that the scam exploited the desperation of students and others struggling to find affordable housing. “London’s rental market is already tight, and this kind of fraud makes it even harder to trust the system,” she said. “You feel like you’re always one step away from losing everything.”

Experts warn that such incidents are likely to become more common as the housing crisis intensifies. “The combination of high demand and low supply creates a perfect environment for fraudsters,” said one housing analyst. “They can take advantage of people’s fear of missing out and pressure them into making quick, uninformed decisions.” This has led to a growing sense of caution among renters, with many now scrutinizing agents more carefully before committing to a lease.

Awosika’s story is a testament to the personal and financial strain caused by these schemes. She said the experience has changed how she approaches renting. “I’ll never be as careless as I used to be,” she added. “Every time I sign a contract, I’ll double-check everything. Trust has been damaged, and it’s going to take time to rebuild.”

The incident also highlights the limitations of online rental platforms. While they offer convenience, their vetting systems may not always prevent fraudulent activity, especially when deposits are paid outside their framework. For Awosika and her fellow victims, the lesson is clear: in a market where opportunities are scarce, vigilance is essential. “You have to be ready to fight for your place,” she said. “Otherwise, you might end up like us—without a flat and with a lot of questions.”