--- title: Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract — Guinea-Bissau Scam Alert description: Active scam alert: Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract is targeting immigrants in Guinea-Bissau. How it works, red flags, and how to protect yourself. image: https://migrantiq.com/og/default.png --- Skip to content Advertisement728 × 90AdSense zone 🇬🇼 RENTAL DEPOSIT BEFORE VIEWING OR CONTRACT MediumHousing FraudPublisher: MigrantIQ Safety3 min read5 reported cases Editorially reviewedLast updated 2026-10-04Reviewed by MigrantIQ Editorial TeamOfficial reporting channel ↗ [https://www.embaixadaguine-bissau.eu/] Safety guidance, not emergency support If you are in immediate danger or have already lost money, contact local emergency services, your bank, and the official fraud reporting channel in the destination country. MigrantIQ provides general safety guidance. Terms [/terms/]Privacy [/privacy/]Report an issue [/contact/] HOW THIS SCAM WORKS In Guinea-Bissau, a concerning rental scam targets newcomers, particularly students, families, and remote workers. Scammers often advertise fake apartments and pressure potential tenants to transfer a deposit before they even have the chance to view the property. This usually comes with the promise of securing the apartment quickly, as they claim others are interested. Once the payment is made, the scammer often vanishes, leaving victims with nothing but regret. Victims typically receive a fake lease agreement or copied property photos that do not represent the actual apartment. WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT RENTAL SCAMS IN GUINEA-BISSAU? Understanding that these scams are prevalent can help newcomers stay vigilant. They often take advantage of the urgency many feel when relocating to a new country. The fake listings may be found on social media, online classifieds, or even through word of mouth, making it important to verify each offer. HOW CAN YOU SPOT A RENTAL SCAM? Be aware of the tactics used by scammers, such as pressure to pay a deposit before viewing the property. Genuine landlords will allow potential tenants to view the property in person or via live video. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. WHO SHOULD YOU REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO? If you encounter a suspicious rental listing or a scam, you should report it to local authorities. The Guinea-Bissau police and consumer protection agencies can provide assistance and help prevent others from falling victim to these scams. you can report incidents to your embassy for further guidance. RED FLAGS * Landlord refuses live video viewing or in-person viewing * Rent is far below normal market prices * Deposit must be wired before a signed contract * Photos appear on multiple unrelated listings HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF To steer clear of rental scams in Guinea-Bissau, always use reputable platforms for property listings. Verify the property address through a reliable source and request a written contract before making any payments. Avoid paying large deposits until you have confirmed the legitimacy of the landlord or agency. If possible, visit the property in person or arrange a live video viewing to ensure it exists as advertised. Always trust your instincts; if something feels off, investigate further. WHAT TO DO IF TARGETED * - Stop communication and do not send more money or documents * - Save messages, receipts, contracts, profile links, and phone numbers * - Contact your bank or payment provider if money was sent * - Report through official fraud, police, or immigration channels Official reporting channel → [https://www.embaixadaguine-bissau.eu/] PREVENTION TIPS * - Only pay government fees through official portals * - Do not trust guaranteed visa approvals or secret appointment slots * - Verify employer, school, agent, or landlord identities independently * - Avoid personal-account transfers and pressure tactics EMERGENCY & REPORTING CONTACTS If there is immediate danger, contact local emergency services. If money was sent, contact your bank/payment provider and official fraud reporting channels. SOURCES & REFERENCES * MigrantIQ scam alert record Published 2026-05-07. * Guinea-Bissau official reporting channels [https://www.embaixadaguine-bissau.eu/] Use official reporting channels if you were targeted or lost money. WHO IS TARGETED studentsfamiliesnew arrivalsremote workers Feedback Was this guide helpful? Your answer helps us improve guides and update priority. YesNo Summarize this page with AI Opens your assistant with a pre-filled prompt (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude). Gemini uses Google AI Mode. Ask AI ↗ Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites. SCAM SAFETY FAQ SHOULD I PAY ANY FEE BEFORE MY VISA IS APPROVED? Legitimate government fees are paid through official channels with receipts. Never wire cash to personal accounts for a “guaranteed” outcome. HOW DO I REPORT A SUSPICIOUS OFFER? Collect evidence (messages, contracts), then report through your destination country’s fraud or immigration reporting channels and warn your community. Advertisement300 × 250AdSense zone MORE ALERTS * Document Translation, Notary, or Apostille Overcharge [/scam-alerts/guinea-bissau/document-translation-notary-overcharge/] * Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee [/scam-alerts/guinea-bissau/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/] * Fake University or Scholarship Letter [/scam-alerts/guinea-bissau/fake-university-or-scholarship-letter/] * Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee [/scam-alerts/guinea-bissau/fake-job-offer-work-permit-fee/] CONTINUE * All Guinea-Bissau alerts [/scam-alerts/guinea-bissau/] * Global hub [/scam-alerts/] Plan smarter Save countries, compare destinations, track visa checklists, and sync your migration plan across devices. Open My Plan [/plan/]Account Dashboard [/account/] Free resources TOOLS & GUIDES Full sitemap → [/sitemap/] PLAN YOUR MOVE * Eligibility quiz [/tools/eligibility/] * Tax calculator [/tools/tax-calculator/] * Tax compare [/tools/tax-compare/] * Tax guides [/tools/tax-guides/] * Points calculator [/tools/points-calculator/] * Cost calculator [/calculator/] * Move planner [/tools/planner/] * Best country [/tools/best-country/] * Pathway finder [/tools/pathway-finder/] * Corridor fit [/tools/corridor-fit/] * Compare 3 countries [/tools/compare-three/] * Job → visa matcher [/tools/job-visa-match/] * Scam checker [/tools/scam-check/] * All tools [/tools/] GUIDES & SAFETY * Visa guides [/visas/] * Scholarships [/scholarships/] * Government jobs [/government-jobs/] * Immigration updates [/countries/canada/immigration-updates/] * Embassies [/embassies/] * Laws [/laws/] * Scam alerts [/scam-alerts/] * Checklists [/checklist/] * Country profiles [/countries/] COMMUNITY * Q&A [/qa/] * People stories [/stories/] * Blog [/blog/] * Android app (Google Play) [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en] * Write for us [/write-for-us/] * Experts [/experts/] * Apply for expert listing [/experts/apply/] * Documentation [/documentation/] * Employers (HR) [/employers/] ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","logo":"https://migrantiq.com/logo.png","description":"MigrantIQ publishes free migration guides covering visas, laws, costs, culture, banking, healthcare, scam alerts, and moving checklists for 220 countries.","knowsAbout":["immigration","visa requirements","moving abroad","cost of living","immigrant laws","scam protection","arrival checklists"],"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/migrantiq/","https://x.com/MigrantIQ","https://www.instagram.com/migrantiqorg/","https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en"],"contactPoint":[{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"customer support","email":"Info@MigrantIQ.com","url":"https://migrantiq.com/contact/","availableLanguage":["English"]}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#website","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","publisher":{"@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://migrantiq.com/search/?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://migrantiq.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Scam Alerts","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Guinea-Bissau","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/guinea-bissau/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/guinea-bissau/rental-deposit-before-viewing/"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/guinea-bissau/rental-deposit-before-viewing/#article","headline":"Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract in Guinea-Bissau: How to Spot and Avoid It","description":"In Guinea-Bissau, a concerning rental scam targets newcomers, particularly students, families, and remote workers. Scammers often advertise fake apartments and pressure potential tenants to transfer a deposit before they even have the chance to view the property. This usually comes with the promise of securing the apartment quickly, as they claim others are interested. Once the payment is made, the scammer often vanishes, leaving victims with nothing but regret. Victims typically receive a fake lease agreement or copied property photos that do not represent the actual apartment.\n\n## What should you know about rental scams in Guinea-Bissau?\n\nUnderstanding that these scams are prevalent can help newcomers stay vigilant. They often take advantage of the urgency many feel when relocating to a new country. The fake listings may be found on social media, online classifieds, or even through word of mouth, making it important to verify each offer.\n\n## How can you spot a rental scam?\n\nBe aware of the tactics used by scammers, such as pressure to pay a deposit before viewing the property. Genuine landlords will allow potential tenants to view the property in person or via live video. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.\n\n## Who should you report suspicious activity to?\n\nIf you encounter a suspicious rental listing or a scam, you should report it to local authorities. 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