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- Turnkey deception: how scammers use the theme of apartment renovation
Turnkey deception: how scammers use the theme of apartment renovation
Fraudsters can use the topic of apartment renovation to deceive Russians, experts have warned about this. The attackers promise potential victims high-quality repair work with tempting discounts and conditions, but in reality they simply disappear with the money. For more information about how fraudulent apartment renovation schemes are organized, how dangerous they are and how to protect yourself from them, read the Izvestia article.
Why is the subject of apartment renovation interesting to scammers
Repairs are a complex and financially costly process: when people start work, they are prepared for certain expenses, although they always try to save money. It is precisely this dilemma that scammers are speculating on, promising high-quality performance with tempting discounts and conditions, says Alexandra Shmigirilova, GR director of the Security Code information security company, in an interview with Izvestia.
— A separate topic that many people prefer not to solve on their own is the coordination of changes in the layout, — says the specialist. — Most new buildings offer a free layout, but this does not give buyers the opportunity to place rooms anywhere.
According to Alexandra Shmigirilova, the legal requirements remain strict: for example, it is forbidden to place a kitchen in an area designated for residential premises, so the approval process for even simple changes can be difficult. Few people really understand the legal aspects, which opens up opportunities for attackers who promise to coordinate an unacceptable scheme and then disappear with the money.
"Repairs are most often carried out by people who have just bought an apartment or who want to improve existing living conditions," adds Nikita Novikov, an expert on cybersecurity at Angara Security. — For scammers, this is a signal: the person has free funds for the renovation of the premises. Victims of criminal schemes are found in chat rooms of new buildings, neighborhood district chat rooms, on specialized repair forums or in leaks of real estate agency data.
What apartment renovation schemes should we expect in 2025
Fraudulent schemes in the field of repairs are becoming more sophisticated, especially with new technologies and online platforms, says Alexandra Shmigirilova. According to the expert, in 2025, attackers will use the Internet and social networks to post ads, posing as qualified specialists.
— They create presentable websites with reviews to attract customers, but after receiving an advance payment, they simply disappear, — says the interlocutor of Izvestia. — At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is used to generate fake reviews or documents, such as fake reports on completed work, or providing non-existent certificates of compliance.
According to Alexandra Shmigirilova, some scammers may also pose as redevelopment experts, offering low-cost paperwork services. They charge a fee for consultations, but they do not have the necessary licenses or do not provide services at all.
In 2025, in the wake of the commissioning of new residential complexes and stricter control by management companies and housing inspections, fraudsters posing as design bureaus and construction companies are becoming more active in the chats of shareholders, Nikita Novikov adds. For buyers of second homes, neighborhood neighborhood chats are used, where scammers raise the topics of renovation and coordination of layouts in a question–and-answer format.
— They offer services such as turnkey repairs and the official approval of alterations — from the demolition of load—bearing walls and the transfer of bathrooms to increasing the capacity of central ventilation or power grids, - says the expert.
According to Nikita Novikov, the complexity of legal procedures, the increase in fines and the anonymity of chat rooms where neighbors are not familiar make such offers attractive, although in fact they turn into fictitious documents, the risk of accidents, ships and the mandatory restoration of the previous layout.
What schemes of scammers on the subject of apartment renovation have you encountered before
Earlier, there were proposals on the apartment renovation market for "quick approval" of redevelopments and reconstructions with the provision of fake permits, Marina Probets, an Internet analyst and expert at Gazinformservice, said in an interview with Izvestia. In addition, the scammers used fake licenses and documents to create an appearance of legitimacy, which put their victims in a difficult position in the future.
— Traditional schemes of "divorce" are to receive money on the promise of cheap construction and finishing materials, — says Nikita Novikov. — After receiving an advance payment or the full amount for the purchase and repair, the supplier of materials disappeared, and the copies of personal documents provided to them turned out to be forged or invalid.
Most often, these schemes were used by unscrupulous foremen who ingratiated themselves into the confidence of apartment owners who were starting to renovate, the expert notes. Offers of the services of such "specialists" were often distributed in neighborhood chats and social networks under the guise of recommendations from those who had already made repairs on the neighboring street.
According to Alexandra Shmigirilova, fraudsters often exploit the ignorance or unwillingness of buyers to understand complex legislation in the construction sector. Therefore, the safest solution would be to hire a specialist or a company that will help you complete the necessary documents and alterations, as well as perform high-level repairs in compliance with all the rules.
How to protect yourself from fraud schemes on the subject of apartment renovation
Apartment renovation fraud schemes are aimed at people who are not familiar with the legal intricacies of approving redevelopments, as well as those who want to save time and effort by appealing to promises of quick and trouble-free legalization of changes, Marina Probets says in an interview with Izvestia.
"The danger lies in the fact that victims may pay money for substandard services, receive forged documents, face problems when selling an apartment or, in the worst case, receive an order to return the premises to their original condition, which will entail additional costs and legal problems," the specialist emphasizes.
In addition, fraudulent schemes undermine trust in companies providing real services and create a negative experience for all market participants. The most reliable way to avoid trouble is to be careful and thoroughly check the contractor before starting work, especially before paying, says Alexandra Shmigirilova.
Even if you want to save money, it is important to remember that repairs and materials cannot cost much below the market. If the offer seems suspicious, it may be worth rejecting the choice of a particular company. It is necessary to conclude a contract with the team, which clearly specifies the scope of work, deadlines, purchase of materials, the total amount and phased payments. All financial transactions should be carried out through banking resources, specifying the contract number and the purpose of the transfer in the purpose of the payment.
— When it comes to approving redevelopments, check at least at the general level whether such an agreement is possible — if it is unlikely, and you are promised to do it, you should think about it, — emphasizes Alexandra Shmigirilova.
It is worth remembering that when redeveloping premises in apartment buildings, it is not allowed to perform work that worsens living conditions in the redeveloped or adjacent premises, as well as violate the requirements of legislation, construction, sanitary, hygienic, operational standards and regulations for apartment buildings, Nikita Novikov adds. Therefore, it will not be possible to coordinate them under any circumstances — even if the intermediary in the chat promises official documents and changes to the technical passport of the premises.
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