--- title: Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract — Indonesia Scam Alert description: Active scam alert: Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract is targeting immigrants in Indonesia. 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 read6 reported cases Editorially reviewedLast updated 2026-10-04Reviewed by MigrantIQ Editorial TeamOfficial reporting channel ↗ [https://www.imigrasi.go.id/en] 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 WHAT IS THE RENTAL DEPOSIT SCAM IN INDONESIA? In Indonesia, a common scam targets newcomers, particularly students, families, and remote workers, involving fake rental listings. Scammers create attractive advertisements for apartments that do not exist or are not actually for rent. They often pressure potential tenants to transfer a deposit before they can view the property or sign a contract. Once the deposit is sent, the scammers typically vanish, leaving the victim without recourse and out of pocket. This situation can be particularly distressing for those unfamiliar with the local housing market or rental practices. HOW DO SCAMMERS OPERATE? Scammers may use photos copied from legitimate listings or create fake lease agreements to make their offers seem credible. They often claim that the property is in high demand, urging victims to act quickly. Many newcomers fall prey to these tactics, especially when they are eager to secure housing in a new country. WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT RENTAL PRACTICES IN INDONESIA? Understanding the local rental market is important. It's important to be aware of the typical rental prices in the area and the standard practices for viewing properties. Engaging with local resources, such as real estate agencies or community groups, can also provide valuable insights and help identify potential scams. 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 avoid falling victim to rental deposit scams in Indonesia, always use reputable rental platforms and verify the property address through multiple sources. Request a written contract that outlines all terms and conditions before making any payments. Avoid paying large deposits before confirming the legitimacy of the landlord or agency. consider visiting the property in person or arranging a live video viewing to ensure it exists. Always trust your instincts; if something seems off, it probably is. 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.imigrasi.go.id/en] 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. * Indonesia official reporting channels [https://www.imigrasi.go.id/en] 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/indonesia/document-translation-notary-overcharge/] * Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee [/scam-alerts/indonesia/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/] * Fake University or Scholarship Letter [/scam-alerts/indonesia/fake-university-or-scholarship-letter/] * Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee [/scam-alerts/indonesia/fake-job-offer-work-permit-fee/] CONTINUE * All Indonesia alerts [/scam-alerts/indonesia/] * 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":"Indonesia","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/indonesia/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/indonesia/rental-deposit-before-viewing/"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/indonesia/rental-deposit-before-viewing/#article","headline":"Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract in Indonesia: How to Spot and Avoid It","description":"### What is the Rental Deposit Scam in Indonesia?\n\nIn Indonesia, a common scam targets newcomers, particularly students, families, and remote workers, involving fake rental listings. Scammers create attractive advertisements for apartments that do not exist or are not actually for rent. They often pressure potential tenants to transfer a deposit before they can view the property or sign a contract. Once the deposit is sent, the scammers typically vanish, leaving the victim without recourse and out of pocket. This situation can be particularly distressing for those unfamiliar with the local housing market or rental practices.\n### How do Scammers Operate?\n\nScammers may use photos copied from legitimate listings or create fake lease agreements to make their offers seem credible. They often claim that the property is in high demand, urging victims to act quickly. Many newcomers fall prey to these tactics, especially when they are eager to secure housing in a new country.\n### What Should You Know About Rental Practices in Indonesia?\n\nUnderstanding the local rental market is important. It's important to be aware of the typical rental prices in the area and the standard practices for viewing properties. Engaging with local resources, such as real estate agencies or community groups, can also provide valuable insights and help identify potential scams.","url":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/indonesia/rental-deposit-before-viewing/","dateModified":"2026-05-07T02:44:34.125Z","datePublished":"2026-05-07T02:44:34.125Z","keywords":["housing-fraud","medium","students","families","new arrivals","remote workers"],"author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization"},"about":[{"@type":"Country","name":"Indonesia"},{"@type":"Thing","name":"Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract","category":"housing-fraud"}],"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/indonesia/rental-deposit-before-viewing/"}} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Should I pay any fee before my visa is approved?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Legitimate government fees are paid through official channels with receipts. Never wire cash to personal accounts for a “guaranteed” outcome."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do I report a suspicious offer?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Collect evidence (messages, contracts), then report through your destination country’s fraud or immigration reporting channels and warn your community."}}]} ```