In Bengaluru’s booming rental market, landlords typically ask for a security deposit of 6 to 10 months’ rent, sometimes even more, depending on the location.
That’s lakhs of rupees, often transferred upfront.
Here’s where the scam begins.
How Bengaluru Security Deposit Scam Work?
Unsuspecting tenants, often new to the city or fresh graduates moving for tech jobs, agree to these terms just to secure a place fast.
The landlords, appearing polite and accommodating, accept the deposit and hand over the keys. Everything seems fine until the tenant decides to move out.
The Deposit Disappears
When it’s time to vacate, the same friendly landlord suddenly turns cold. Excuses start piling up:
- “There’s damage to the walls, we’ll deduct for that.”
- “The painting cost is too high.”
- “The plumbing needs to be redone.”
- Or worse, they stop answering calls altogether.
In many cases, tenants end up losing 50% to 100% of their deposits, with landlords either ghosting them or inventing random deductions.
And because there’s often no written agreement or legal record beyond WhatsApp chats and bank transfers, tenants have almost no way to recover the money.
Fake Listings and Vanishing Landlords
Recently, scammers have gone one step further. Fake landlords are now posting bogus listings on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, OLX, and NoBroker.
Here’s how it works:
- The “landlord” shows a fully furnished flat, often one they don’t even own, and insists on a quick token or deposit “to block the property.”
- Once the money is sent, they vanish.
- Victims realize later that the property was never theirs to begin with.
A few months ago, police in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area busted a group that had scammed more than ₹50 lakh this way, all from fake rental listings.
Real Case Studies from Bengaluru
1. Landlord Vanishes Without Returning Deposit
A recent report by Deccan Herald detailed how a tenant in Bengaluru lost his entire deposit after vacating his flat.
The landlord disappeared, refusing to return the money despite repeated calls and visits.
Police registered a case after the victim filed a complaint, revealing that such deposit scams are becoming increasingly common in the city.
2. ₹30 Lakh Deposit Demand Goes Viral on Reddit
In another shocking incident reported by MSN, a Reddit post from a Bengaluru user went viral after a landlord demanded a ₹30 lakh security deposit for a 2BHK flat.
Users on the forum called it “borderline extortion,” sparking debate about skyrocketing deposits and the lack of tenant protection in the city.
Why Does This Scam Work So Well?
This scam thrives because:
- High deposits make Bengaluru’s rental scene a goldmine for scammers.
- Most tenants don’t sign formal agreements or read them properly.
- Police often treat it as a civil matter, making recovery tough.
- Newcomers to the city are often too trusting or unaware of the local rental norms.
How to Protect Yourself from a Security Deposit Scam?
Here are the quick tips to follow to protect yourself from such scams:
- Always sign a registered rental agreement. An e-stamped, notarized document can save you later.
- Verify the property and the owner’s ID. Ask for the electricity bill or property tax receipt to confirm ownership.
- Avoid paying large deposits upfront. Negotiate for 2-3 months; it’s becoming more common now.
- Use trusted platforms with verified owner listings and avoid quick transfers through UPI or WhatsApp links.
- Document everything. Take before-and-after photos of the house and keep receipts of all payments.
Conclusion
Bengaluru may be India’s Silicon Valley, but its rental market still feels like the Wild West. From fake landlords to unreturned deposits, scams are growing as fast as the city’s tech parks.
If you’re planning to move, remember to research before you rent. Talk to locals, use verified platforms, and never, ever send large amounts without proper paperwork. Because in Bengaluru, finding a flat is easy, but getting your deposit back might just take a miracle.
