How Bofrid combats rental scams in Sweden & builds trust for expats in 2026
Rental fraud is a growing problem that creates insecurity and financial harm for many. Bofrid is actively working to combat these scams and create a safer housing market for all parties in Sweden.
What is Rental Fraud and Why is it a Problem?
Rental fraud is a form of fraud that targets people looking for housing in Sweden. Scammers often exploit the desperation of home seekers, especially in areas with high demand and few vacant apartments. This may involve posing as landlords and accepting deposits or advance rent for apartments that do not exist, or that they do not have the right to rent out. It can also involve renting an apartment to several people at the same time, or demanding unreasonable fees.
Rental fraud is a serious problem because it can cause significant financial damage to those affected in Sweden. In addition to the direct financial loss, it can also lead to stress, anxiety and, in the worst case, homelessness. In addition, it damages confidence in the rental market as a whole. This makes it harder for serious landlords to find tenants and for tenants to trust that they will receive fair treatment. Actively combating rental fraud is therefore crucial to maintaining a healthy and functioning housing market in Sweden.
How Does Bofrid Work to Counteract Rental Fraud in 2026?
Bofrid has developed a range of measures to counteract rental fraud, and these measures will continue to be developed and refined until 2026. The foundation of Bofrid's strategy is to create a transparent and secure platform for both landlords and tenants in Sweden. This is done through several different methods:
Verification of identity: Bofrid carefully verifies the identity of all users who want to rent out or rent a home via the platform. This reduces the risk of fraudsters being able to create fake profiles and exploit the system. Verification may include checking ID documents, bank details and other relevant documents. This is especially important for expats in Sweden who may not be familiar with local verification processes.
Secure payments: Bofrid offers a secure payment solution that protects both the landlord and the tenant. The money is held in a secure escrow until the tenant has gained access to the home and confirmed that everything is as it should be. This reduces the risk of the landlord disappearing with the deposit or advance rent. This service is invaluable for expats in Sweden who may be unfamiliar with local landlords.
Control of housing: Bofrid actively works to check that the homes advertised on the platform actually exist and that the landlord has the right to rent them out. This may involve checking ownership, building permits and other relevant documents according to Swedish regulations.
Reporting function: Bofrid has a clear and easily accessible reporting function where users can report suspicious ads or activities. All reports are carefully investigated by Bofrid's team. This helps maintain a safe environment for those looking for apartments in Sweden.
Education and information: Bofrid informs both landlords and tenants about how they can protect themselves against rental fraud in Sweden. This can be done through articles, guides, webinars and other information channels.
By combining these measures, Bofrid creates a significantly safer housing market and reduces the risk of rental fraud being carried out in Sweden. Bofrid's work to counteract rental fraud in 2026 will focus even more on using AI and machine learning to identify and prevent fraud attempts in real time within the Swedish market.
Why is it Important to Verify Landlords and Tenants?
Verification of both landlords and tenants is a central part of combating rental fraud in Sweden. By carefully checking the identity of all users, you can reduce the risk of fraudsters being able to exploit the system.
For landlords, verification means that Bofrid ensures that the person renting out the home is actually the one who owns it, or has the right to rent it out according to Swedish law. This reduces the risk of the tenant being tricked by a person who pretends to be a landlord, but in reality has no right to rent out the home.
For tenants living in Sweden, verification means that the landlord can feel confident that the person renting the home is who they claim to be. This reduces the risk of the tenant being a fraudster who, for example, wants to use the home for illegal activities or does not intend to pay the rent.
The verification thus creates mutual security and reduces the risk of problems and conflicts in the future for both parties in Sweden.
How Does Bofrid's Secure Payment Solution Contribute to Reduced Fraud?
One of the most common methods used in rental fraud is that the fraudster demands a deposit or advance rent before the tenant has gained access to the home in Sweden. Once the money has been paid, the fraudster disappears, and the tenant is left without both housing and money.
Bofrid's secure payment solution eliminates this risk by keeping the money in a secure escrow until the tenant has gained access to the home and confirmed that everything is as it should be. If the tenant is not satisfied with the home or if something is wrong, the money can be returned to the tenant.
This creates security for both the landlord and the tenant. The landlord knows that the money is available when the tenant has gained access to the home, and the tenant knows that they do not risk losing their money if something is wrong when renting in Sweden.
What are the Benefits of Reporting Suspicious Ads on Bofrid?
Bofrid encourages all users to report suspicious ads or activities on the platform. This is an important way to help Bofrid identify and stop rental fraud in Sweden.
By reporting a suspicious ad, you help protect other users from being tricked. You also help Bofrid improve its platform and its security measures for the Swedish market.
All reports are carefully investigated by Bofrid's team, and if it turns out that the ad is fraudulent, it will be removed from the platform. Reports can also lead to users being suspended from Bofrid, and in some cases they can also be reported to the police in Sweden.
Reporting suspicious ads is therefore an important way to contribute to a safer housing market for everyone in Sweden.
How Can I Protect Myself Against Rental Fraud Even Outside of Bofrid?
Even though Bofrid is actively working to counteract rental fraud, it is important to be vigilant and protect yourself, even when looking for housing outside of Bofrid's platform in Sweden. Here are some tips:
Be critical: Be critical of ads that seem too good to be true. If the rent is unusually low or if the landlord seems very eager to rent out the home quickly, it may be a warning sign, especially in competitive markets in Sweden.
Meet the landlord in person: Always meet the landlord in person and see the home before you pay any deposit or advance rent. This is particularly important for expats in Sweden to ensure legitimacy.
Check the landlord's identity: Check the landlord's identity by asking to see identification and comparing it with the ownership certificate for the home. You can also contact Lantmäteriet (Sweden's land surveying authority) to check who owns the home.
Do not pay in cash: Never pay the deposit or advance rent in cash. Instead, use a secure payment method, such as a bank transfer or a payment service that offers protection for the buyer, common practices in Sweden.
Read the lease carefully: Read the lease carefully before you sign it. Make sure that all the conditions are clear and that you understand what you are signing up for according to Swedish rental laws.
Be aware of warning signs: Be aware of warning signs such as the landlord wanting you to pay money to a foreign account, the landlord not wanting to meet you in person, or the landlord pressuring you to sign the contract quickly, which may be signs of fraud in Sweden.
By being vigilant and following these tips, you can reduce the risk of being tricked by a rental fraudster in Sweden.
Common questions
What do I do if I suspect that I have been subjected to rental fraud?
If you suspect that you have been subjected to rental fraud, you should contact the police immediately in Sweden.
