2BHK on rent in Bengaluru for Rs 15,000: Is it real or is there a problem with it? , Bengaluru-News News

Finding a rental home in Bengaluru has never been easier. With increasing demand, decreasing inventory and rising rents, even a basic 2BHK in a decent locality can strain the budget, especially for middle-class families, students and early career professionals.

In this backdrop, an online listing promising a fully furnished luxury 2BHK for just Rs 15,000 seems almost too good to be true. And in many cases, it is.

A new rental scam targeting Bengaluru residents has come to light after several users flagged suspicious apartment listings offering high-end flats at unrealistically low rents. The pattern is simple, reliable, and potentially dangerous.

How the scam came to light

The scam was recently detailed by a Bengaluru resident on a public online forum, where the user shared screenshots and described his interaction with the alleged estate agent. The user said they were actively looking for flats in JP Nagar and nearby areas when they found multiple listings on the popular real estate platform.

The listing describes a fully furnished 2BHK apartment with amenities like television, refrigerator, washing machine, gym, swimming pool and security, all offered at a monthly rent of Rs 15,000.

Given the current rental trends in Bengaluru, where similar flats often cost double or even triple the price, the price immediately raised suspicions. Nevertheless, the user decided to call the number listed to understand how the deal happened.

id card mesh

According to the user, the person who answered the call confirmed that the flat was available but added an unusual condition. The apartment could not be visited directly. Instead, the prospective tenant must first produce an “ID card” to gain access.

To make this so-called ID card, the caller asked for a photograph, a government-issued identity document and a payment of Rs 2500. The caller claimed that the money would be refunded if the flat did not live up to expectations.

This is where the red flags became impossible to ignore.

What happened when verification was mentioned?

The user told the caller that they were ready to come to the apartment gate immediately and verify the details with the security guard or apartment management. As soon as this suggestion was made, the call was suddenly disconnected.

Repeated attempts to reconnect reportedly failed.

This response strongly indicated that the listing was fake and that no such apartment or building access process actually existed. It appears to be aimed at collecting money and personal data under the pretext of documentation.

Why is this scam dangerous?

What makes this scam particularly risky is not just the financial loss, but also the demand for personal information. Sharing photos and government ID documents with unknown persons can have serious consequences.

In an era where AI tools and digital abuse are widespread, even a photograph or ID proof can potentially be misused for fraud, impersonation or blackmail. Victims may not even realize how their data is being exploited until much later.

Once Rs 2500 has been transferred, experts warn that victims are unlikely to hear back from the scammer.

Why are Bengaluru tenants insecure right now?

Bengaluru’s rental market is under pressure. Rapid job growth, migration and limited housing supply have created frustration among home seekers. Scammers take advantage of this urgency by offering deals that seem like rare opportunities.

Luxury flats, prime locations, fully furnished, low rents and ready availability have been deliberately combined to eliminate rational doubt.

How to stay safe while looking for a home

Tenants are advised to never pay any amount before physically verifying a property. Any legitimate apartment complex does not require advance payment for an ID card just to view the flat.

Do not share personal photographs, Aadhaar details or other identity documents with unknown agents. Always try to visit the property, speak to the security staff or the apartment association directly and confirm ownership details.

If a list goes missing or the caller hangs up when verification is mentioned, consider this a clear warning sign.

A warning to home seekers

As demand for housing increases in Bengaluru, such scams are likely to increase. Being vigilant, questioning offers that seem unusually cheap, and refusing to rush into digital payments can prevent financial losses and identity misuse.

For renters, the rule remains simple: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.