sahibinden.com is the largest property marketplace in Turkiye, which also makes it the most attractive target for scammers working foreign renters specifically. Here's the actual checklist to run through before you send any money. Before you even message the lister
● Check whether the same photos appear on other listings elsewhere online — a reverse image search takes 30 seconds and catches a large share of fake listings
● Treat a price significantly below the neighborhood average as a red flag, not a lucky find
● Look for specific, verifiable details in the listing (exact address area, real interior photos with consistent lighting/furniture) rather than generic staged-looking photos Before you agree to anything
*Insist on a live video call or in-person viewing before discussing payment at all *Ask direct questions about the lease terms, move-in date, and who will actually sign the contract *Treat urgency ('another renter is ready today') as a warning sign, not a reason to move faster *Never send a deposit to 'hold' a unit you haven't seen, no matter how convincing the seller sounds
On viewing day ● Confirm the apartment matches the listing exactly — layout, furniture, fixtures ● Check that locks and building access actually work ● If the person showing you the unit seems evasive about basic questions, walk away — a legitimate landlord answers directly Before you pay anything ● Get a proper written rental contract (kira sozlesmesi), never a handshake deal ● Confirm the exact recipient name and account details for any transfer — payment instructions that change or feel unclear are a major red flag ● Keep every message and screenshot as a record, in case the deal turns out to be a problem later
If something feels off at any step, trust that instinct and walk away. There will always be another listing — there's rarely a second chance to recover money sent to a scammer.