1.How to identify an attempted fraud/scam?

Here are the different criteria that should immediately alert you to a scam:

• The rent is very attractive and lower than the reality of the market.
• The advertiser justifies renting out the property for a small fee on the pretext that he is only
interested in helping someone who really needs a place to live, or because it is a flat inherited
from his family and whose great sentimental value means that it should not remain
unoccupied, at the risk of deteriorating.
• These are photos of a modern, well-furnished flat.
• The advertiser replies to you with an email address different from the one mentioned in the
ad. Or the advertiser's email address has nothing to do with his first and last name (e.g.: the
advertiser is Mr John Doe and his email address is simon.robin@...).
• The landlord replies that his property is already rented and refers you to someone else he
knows who has another property to offer you.
• The advertiser informs you that it is impossible for him to be present for a visit because he is
away on business or because he lives abroad.
• The advertiser asks you by return e-mail for copies of identity documents, income certificates
and other personal information. It is also common for the advertiser to claim to be a lawyer or
notary. In addition, it is possible that a third person is also mentioned, such as a business
agent or a rental company, who would handle all the formalities in his absence.
Paradoxically, the advertiser generally insists more than it is reasonable on protecting himself
from a possible scam. They talk about guarantees and protection, make a big deal of it, are
sometimes suspicious and even seem to doubt your probity/sincerity.
• The advertiser asks you to make a payment via Western Union, MoneyGram, etc., or to a
foreign account. Prefer a payment to a Swiss bank account.
• You will receive a form to fill in like this:

RENT APPLICATION FORM:

FULL NAME:
DATE OF BIRTH:
PROFESSION:
PHONE:
MARITAL STATUS:
PRESENT ADDRESS:
HOW LONG? IF RENTING
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING your place of Rent?
HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING?
PASSPORT COPY
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN?
IF YOU HAVE A PET?
KIND OF PETS:
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT?

OR :

Nom & prénoms :

Profession :
Ville de résidence actuelle :
Téléphone (Fixe et GSM) :
Situation matrimoniale :
Revenu mensuel approximatif :
Durée de bail :
Qui payera le loyer à chaque fin du mois :
Nombre de personnes à occuper le logement :
2.What are the ways to avoid them?

• Find out about market prices in the area you are interested in.
• Be aware of the terminology used as well as spelling and syntax errors in the advertisement or
in written exchanges. In Switzerland, the type of flat is described in terms of rooms (e.g. a 2.5
room flat).
• Always make sure that you have at least one telephone conversation to check the truthfulness
of what is being said and the identity of the landlord.
• Visit the accommodation as far as possible. Never pay for a simple visit to the
accommodation.
• Do a reverse Google image search using the photos in the advert. If Google finds the same
photos for an advertisement for accommodation in Paris or Stockholm, there is no doubt
about it!
• If you need to send personal documents, watermark each piece to avoid misuse. The French
government website DossierFacile.fr allows you to do this.
• If you still have doubts, write to us at logement@epfl.ch or travail.logement@unil.ch and we
will try to identify whether this is a scam.

3.You have spotted a fraudulent advert on the UNIL-EPFL portal.

Please write to us as soon as possible at logement@epfl.ch or travail.logement@unil.ch and send the
following information:
• The advert number, the text of the advert and the photos.
• Any email, WhatsApp or other exchanges you have had with the advertiser.
• The rental agreement and any other documents you have received from the advertiser.

4.Police advice in the event of a scam

The police will advise you and also tell you what to do if you are a victim (webpage only in French).
Flyer in English

5. Useful links
Police advice (only in French)

Prévention Suisse de la criminalité (only in German, French or Italian)

Website gathering scam attempts (only in French)

Advises on search forums