Kosovo (XK)

Kosovo's most dangerous scam for expats. Sellers — sometimes collaborating across the Kosovo–Serbia divide — offer properties whose cadastral records are incomplete, disputed, or locked in Serbian archives since 1999. Buyers pay deposits on properties where another party holds the real title, resulting in total financial loss and lengthy legal battles. In April 2026, BIRN documented active cases of properties being "sold" to multiple parties using conflicting documentation.

Scammers post attractive apartments on MerrJep.com and Facebook groups at prices 30–50% below market, then collect 1–2 months' advance deposit before any viewing. The "landlord" is always unavailable in person, usually claiming to be abroad. Payment is requested by bank transfer or Western Union. Once funds are sent the scammer disappears.

Unlicensed intermediaries — often operating near DMUP (Directorate for Migration, Asylum and Refugees) offices or through social media — offer to "guarantee" Kosovo residence or work permits for cash fees of €500–3,000. They collect payment, produce worthless documents, and disappear. In serious cases they retain passports as leverage.

Fraudulent investment schemes are particularly prevalent targeting Kosovo diaspora returning from Western Europe and expat workers. Scammers promise high returns on construction projects, technology startups, or agricultural schemes in Kosovo. They use professional presentations, fake company registrations, and pressure tactics exploiting national sentiment ("invest in Kosovo's future"). No licensed investment vehicle exists behind the offer.