Students Fall Victim to Rental Scam in London, Losing Thousands
I thought I'd got my dream flat - so did 23 others
The Bbc
Image: The Bbc
Mide Awosika and 23 others were scammed while trying to rent a flat in Poplar, East London, losing significant deposits. The property was fraudulently listed on major rental sites, leading to a police investigation as victims report feeling pressured to pay large sums quickly.
- 01Mide Awosika and her flatmates paid a £12,000 deposit for a flat that was fraudulently listed.
- 02A total of 23 individuals reported similar experiences linked to the same property and agent.
- 03Reported rental fraud cases in England and Wales increased significantly, with losses reaching £14.5 million in 2025.
- 04The letting agent, Derrick Fringe, and the landlord, Edward Robinson, did not respond to inquiries about the scam.
- 05The National Residential Landlord Association advises potential tenants to verify agents and avoid high-pressure situations.
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In a troubling incident in Poplar, East London, 20-year-old Mide Awosika and 23 others found themselves victims of a rental scam while attempting to secure a flat ahead of their university term. Awosika and her flatmates paid a £12,000 deposit for a four-bedroom property, only to discover on moving day that multiple groups were trying to access the same flat. The property was listed on popular rental websites, and Awosika reported that the agent, Derrick Fringe, pressured them to pay quickly. Following their experience, Awosika created a WhatsApp group to connect with other affected individuals. Reports indicate a significant rise in rental fraud, with losses nearly doubling in recent years, reaching £14.5 million in 2025. Despite the involvement of major platforms like OpenRent, which stated they acted promptly to remove the fraudulent listing, the scam's impact has left many feeling vulnerable and distrustful of the rental market. The National Residential Landlord Association has urged prospective tenants to verify the legitimacy of letting agents and to avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
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The scam has left numerous students and young professionals without housing options and significant financial losses.
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