Wohnungsbetrug auf Internetplattformen

Vorsicht vor Wohnungsbetrug mit internationalem Hintergrund!
Es passiert eigentlich schon so seit Jahren: Immer wieder berichten uns Wohnungssuchende von Betrugsversuchen, die alle das gleiche Muster aufweisen:
Eine günstige Wohnung wird auf einer Immobilienplattform angeboten. MieterInnen nehmen per E-Mail Kontakt mit dem angeblichen Wohnungsinhaber auf und sollen vorweg Beträge auf ein ausländisches Konto überweisen. Die Methode dürfte also fallweise erfolgreich sein, sonst würden sich Betrüger wohl nicht diese Arbeit machen.

Ein Beispiel, wie solche Betrugsversuche per E-Mail aussehen:

Von lucashooper55@gmail.com
„Hello,
I just read your e-mail regarding my apartment for rent.
I bought this apartment for my daughter during her studies in Austria, but now she’s back home permanently, so I’m renting the place for unlimited time.
Before we go any further I would like to know how many persons you intend to share the flat with, and for how long.
The flat is fully furnished and renovated, exactly like in the photos. Also, very important, the utilities (cold/hot water, electricity, wireless broadband Internet, digital TV, air conditioning, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, etc.) are included in the price of 350EUR/month. The deposit is also EUR 350,00, and you get it back, when you decide to leave the apartment (you will have to give me at least 30 days notice). As for me, you can rest assured that I will never ask you to leave the apartment.You can use my furniture, or you can also use your own if you prefer. If you decide to use yours, you will have access to a large and well ventilated cellar, where you can store my furniture. Now, a little bit about myself: My name is Lucas Hooper and I’m a 58 years old graphic designer from London, planning to retire in the next 2 years.
I have a lovely wife, Christine and a 25 year old daughter, Linda. I am very proud to say that soon I’m going to be a grandfather :).
Another member of our family is an 6 year old Labrador which we all love, so, I won’t mind if you will keep pets.
The only inconvenience is that my job doesn’t allow me to leave London even for one single day. We just hired some new staff and I’m in charge of their training.
But this won’t affect you at all. I can make arrangements to rent the apartment from London (on my expense of course).
Looking forward to hear from you soon.
All the best from Britain!“

Als die Bewerberin zusagte (mit Handy-nr und Kontaktadresse, aber ohne Bankinformationen), erhielt sie eine weitere E-Mail, in der sie informiert wurde, dass sie über eine „Letting Agency“ die Kaution und Miete im Voraus zahlen müsste:


“ Thank you for your reply.
The aparment is located on Burggasse 105 1070 Wien, 4th floor.
Here is a link with the apartment: http://www.immobilienscout24.at/expose/512d0ede0cf2daf671135c2c .
After analyzing all the applications together with my wife we decided that you would be suitable to rent the apartment.
 As I said, the total price which you’ll have to pay for one month of rent (warm miete) will be €350, no additional costs.
The rent will be paid monthly, directly to my British bank account.
In order to view the flat and settle a deal, you will need the keys, and the contract .
Since I am unable to come to Austria personally, and my daughter is already back here, I’ve hired a major real estate agency from London, specialized in international rentals, to represent me.
They are called Easy Rents Ltd , and their website is: http://ltdrentseasy.com
This agency will handle the delivery of the keys, the inspection of the flat and also the payment .
Here’s how it works :
1 – To start this transaction, I need your full name, address and telephone number. I will also need to know the rental period so I can put it in the contract.
2 – I will go to the Easy Rents Ltd office to drop off the keys and documents of the house, along with the contract
3 – Easy Rents Ltd will check the documents to make sure I am the actual owner of the flat, then, they will send you an invoice (rechnung).
4 – At this point you’ll have to pay one month rent 350 EURO + 350 euro security deposit total =700 euro as a security deposit to Easy Rents Ltd , according to the instructions from the invoice.
This will be a guarantee that they don’t send an agent all the way to  Austria  for a joke. The deposit will be just a formality, and it will not commit you to renting the flat.
The money will remain in the custody of Easy Rents Ltd  until you have checked the flat and confirmed that everything is ok.
5 – After you pay the deposit, and send them the details, Easy Rents Ltd  will send an agent to  Austria  in the next 24-48 hours (Monday to Friday) to meet you and help you inspect the flat. .
6 – You can also decide which date and time will fit your schedule best for the inspection.
7 – If you will be satisfied with the flat, you will sign a copy of the contract and the pay for the first month of rent will be considered those first 350 euros paid in the security deposit. (the following rents will be paid directly to my account)
However, if you are not pleased with the apartment for any reason, the Easy Rents Ltd agent will give you the money back on the spot, and I will get my keys and documents back.
I will pay for the services of the agency, so there will be no extra costs for you.
Also, in case you have another apartment right now, and you cannot move out immediately, we can make the deal as I explained it now, and consider it only an inspection and reservation. You will move in when you are ready and pay the first rent then.
If you want to begin, please give me the details which I requested above, so I can make the arrangements.
I am waiting for your quick response, because there are several others interested in the apartment, and I need to know if I can count on a deal with you.
Best greetings!“

Derartige Fälle häufen sich leider nach wie vor.
Wenn ein Vermieter angeblich in London oder sonst wo sitzt und niemand nach Österreich kommen kann, um die Wohnungsangelegenheit persönlich oder durch Bevollmächtigte abzuwickeln, stimmt wohl etwas nicht. Da reicht es auch nicht, wenn man Ihnen zahlreiche Fotos über die angebliche Wohnung übermittelt.

Achtung

Und wenn man dann in die Falle getappt ist und wirklich etwas bezahlt hat, wird es noch unverschämter und man versucht dem Opfer weiteres Geld aus der Tasche zu ziehen:

„Until we don’t make the proof of payment for the third and forth month
we can’t deliver you the package.
I spoke earlier with our company lawyer to give us a solution for this
transaction and he suggested this solution :
– You must make another payment (700 Euro) for the other 2 months so
this transaction can be completed like you done the first.“

Wir empfehlen betroffenen Wohnungssuchenden eine Sachverhaltsdarstellung an die Staatsanwaltschaft Wien, Landesgerichtsstr. 11, 1080 Wien