How to avoid rental scams after a £77,400 London fraud case
If you are renting in London this summer, do not pay a deposit before you have viewed the property, checked who you are dealing with and signed a proper tenancy agreement. A recent London case shows why that rule matters.
Frederic Priestley, 34, from Southwark, was jailed for 2 years and 11 months after defrauding more than 30 people out of more than £77,000. He advertised a property he did not own on Facebook, gave prospective tenants false tenancy paperwork, took deposits and rent payments, then invented reasons why they could not move in.
The sum grabs attention, but the method was ordinary. That is the real lesson. Rental fraud usually works because people are under pressure to secure somewhere quickly. Home Office and National Fraud Intelligence Bureau data published in 2025 showed nearly £9 million lost across around 5,000 reported rental fraud cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with 18 to 29-year-olds accounting for 48% of reports. If you are weighing where to look, comparing the best areas to rent in south west London helps you learn what a fair price looks like.
How the scam usually works
The pattern rarely changes. A bright listing appears at a price just below the market, often on social media rather than a recognised property portal. You are told to act fast or lose it. You are asked to pay a holding deposit or first month’s rent by bank transfer before you have viewed the place or signed a contract.
Then the excuses begin, usually that the landlord is abroad, busy or dealing with an emergency.
Wandsworth is not a cheap area, so understanding why renting here carries a premium makes a suspiciously low rent stand out quickly.
| Red flag | What a genuine let looks like |
|---|---|
| Rent well below similar local homes | Priced in line with comparable properties |
| Pressure to pay before any viewing | A viewing offered before money changes hands |
| Deposit wanted by transfer to a personal account | Deposit protected in a government-approved scheme |
| Landlord always abroad and unable to meet | A named agent or landlord you can verify |
| Listing only on a social media group | Listing on a recognised portal and the agent’s own site |
How to protect yourself
View first, always. If you cannot attend, send someone you trust. Check the rent against real listings, and use local guides such as the best streets to rent in Wandsworth to understand typical prices.
Pay by a traceable method, never cash, gift cards or cryptocurrency. Ask where your tenancy deposit will be held. For most assured shorthold tenancies in England, a landlord or agent must protect your deposit in a government approved deposit scheme within 30 days of receiving it.
Since 1 May 2026, new rules on rental bidding mean a landlord or agent must state a specific rent in the advert and must not encourage or accept offers above that advertised rent. Treat anyone pushing you to pay more quietly, or move money before the agreement is signed, with caution.
The same caution applies if you are buying. Whether you want homes for sale in Wandsworth or commercial property for sale, verify the agent and never transfer funds on the strength of an email alone.
Why renting through an established agent helps
An established Wandsworth letting agent removes much of this risk. Lets Find A Home has operated locally since 2004, handles proper tenancy paperwork and arranges for deposits to be registered through a deposit protection scheme. The Renters' Rights Act, now in force, adds further protection for renters in England.
If you are a landlord, the same logic protects you and your tenants. Letting through property management for landlords keeps the process compliant, while a let only service or a rent collection service still gives you vetted tenants and proper paperwork. It also reassures renters that you are genuine, and knowing what tenants are looking for helps you attract the right people rather than rushing a let.
If you think you have been scammed
Act quickly. Contact your bank straight away to try to stop or recover the payment, then report it to Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. Keep every message, advert, bank receipt, phone number and email address, because that record is what investigators rely on.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if a rental listing is a scam?
Look for rent below the local going rate, pressure to pay fast, a refusal to allow viewings and payment requests to a personal account.
Should you pay a holding deposit before viewing?
No. View first, check the person or agency is genuine, and make sure the terms are clear before sending money.
Is it safe to rent through Facebook?
Social media listings carry more risk because they are less controlled. If you use one, verify the property and the person behind it before paying anything.
What should you do if you have been scammed renting?
Contact your bank immediately, report it to Action Fraud, and keep all evidence. The faster you act, the better the chance of stopping or tracing the payment.
Rent with confidence
If you would rather skip the guesswork, browse genuine homes to rent in Wandsworth where every listing is real and your deposit is properly protected. Ask us to verify a property before you commit, or call 020 8870 5800 for a straight answer.