Home Office warns young renters of £9 million fraud losses

Recent data from the Home Office reveals that nearly 73% of rental fraud reports involve young people aged 18 to 39, with losses totaling almost £9 million across about 5,000 cases last year. Fraudsters commonly lure victims by advertising non-existent properties or those they do not own, often requiring upfront payments for deposits or rent. The 18 to 29 age group alone accounted for 48% of these fraud cases, compelling ministers to warn potential renters to avoid rushing into decisions without viewing properties first. The government is also pressing tech companies to enhance their fraud prevention measures, particularly on social media platforms where such scams frequently occur. Fraud Minister Lord Hanson emphasized that anyone can fall victim to these scams, regardless of their tech-savviness. As students and young workers seek new housing this spring, officials are urging caution to prevent further financial losses.