You paid a deposit for an apartment that didn't exist? The "landlord" disappeared with your money? You signed a lease for a unit that belonged to someone else? Rental fraud is exploding in Quebec, especially during the housing crisis. Here's how to protect yourself and what to do if you're a victim.
Types of Rental Fraud
1. The Phantom Apartment
The listing shows a nice apartment at an attractive price, but:
- The address doesn't exist or it's a different building
- Photos are stolen from other listings
- The "landlord" refuses in-person visits
- You're asked for a deposit before seeing the unit
2. Landlord Impersonation
The fraudster pretends to be the owner of a real unit:
- They copy a real listing and lower the price
- They show you around (sometimes with fake keys)
- You sign a lease and pay a deposit
- The real owner discovers the fraud
3. Stolen Deposit
- You're asked for a deposit to "reserve" the unit
- The landlord disappears after receiving the money
- Or the unit is rented to multiple people at once
4. Fraudulent Subletting
- The current tenant sublets without authorization
- You pay and move in
- The owner evicts you because the sublet is illegal
Real Examples Reported in Quebec
Case 1: "I found a 4½ for $900/month in Rosemont. The landlord said he was traveling and asked for $1,800 by transfer to reserve. The address existed but it was someone else's house."
Case 2: "I visited an apartment, signed the lease, paid first and last month. On July 1st, the real owner was there with his own tenants. The guy who showed me around wasn't the owner."
Case 3: "Same apartment rented to 4 different families. We all showed up at the door on moving day. The fraudster had collected $12,000 total."
How to Recognize Fraud
Red Flags
- Price too low for the neighborhood and size
- Landlord abroad or "traveling"
- Refusal to visit in person
- Deposit requested before viewing
- Pressure to decide quickly ("several interested parties")
- Payment by transfer or gift cards only
- Photos too professional or generic
- Spelling mistakes in communications
- No official lease from the Tribunal administratif du logement
What to Do If You're a Victim?
- File a police report — Rental fraud is a criminal offense
- Contact your bank immediately if you sent money by transfer
- Report the listing on the platform (Kijiji, Facebook, etc.)
- Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — 1-888-495-8501
- Keep all evidence: screenshots, messages, proof of payment
How Report Quebec Can Help You
- Complete documentation of your case
- Guidance to appropriate recourse
- Official record of the fraud
- Help identifying warning signs for the future
Victim of Rental Fraud?
Document your case with us. Your report helps protect other Quebecers.
File a Report