Scams and illegal subletting exploit seasonal workers in Andorra

Economic crises often create opportunities for dishonest operators. In Andorra’s overheated housing market, some people are exploiting seasonal workers’ desperation by offering fraudulent rentals or selling documents that claim someone lives in an apartment when they do not.

A recent scam circulated via WhatsApp and Instagram involved a man identifying himself as Oihan López and claiming to represent a company called “Altorin SL.” He allegedly asked for an advance payment of €2,250 to reserve an apartment in La Massana, promised to hand over the keys after the transfer, and refused to show the flat in person before payment. When a prospective tenant refused to pay without seeing the property, communication ceased and the seller said he would move on to other clients. Multiple Facebook users say they have been targeted by the same scheme, some for more than a year, and have been advised to report the number to Spanish police because of its foreign prefix.

Illegal subletting is also widespread. Many Facebook listings for rooms in Andorra explicitly state “no certificate,” indicating the advertiser is a tenant subletting without the owner’s consent. That practice, although prohibited, proliferates amid weak enforcement and strong market pressure. Rooms often cost more than €400–€500 a month, sometimes without contracts, privacy guarantees, or basic tenant rights.

There are reports of people charging up to €500 specifically for a certificate of residence or habitability even though the worker does not actually live in the flat. A post in a Pas de la Casa group warned of “pseudo-owners” selling such certificates; authorities are reported to be investigating the origin and responsibilities of those involved.

Seasonal workers frequently plead for any place where they can register their address. Public messages read “looking for a room that provides a certificate, will pay on time and behave well,” and some explicitly ask only to be registered in exchange for money, a practice that can amount to document fraud. Newcomers’ lack of familiarity with Andorran law and their vulnerable status make them easy targets for scams or agreements that cannot be legally formalised.

The problem creates a legal and social bottleneck: without housing, workers cannot obtain an employment contract; without a contract, they cannot secure a residence permit. Meanwhile, people with no legal claim to a property or those in irregular situations take advantage of job seekers’ anxiety to extract money through abusive practices.

Affected workers have limited options. Authorities can pursue criminal behaviour when a formal complaint is filed, but many seasonal workers fear reporting incidents or do not know how to proceed. With the formal housing market failing to meet demand, online platforms and informal arrangements are filling the gap and increasing exposure to fraud.

The situation underscores a structural housing challenge: while formal supply does not respond to seasonal demand, digital channels and informal intermediaries offer quick, risky solutions that can cost tenants far more than the rent itself.