I agree it's easier to move on, but real scammers are criminals stealing money and should be reported to police, as they will do it to others.

Agencies are your safest bet, as you can go to them with problems instead of dealing directly with landlords.

That situation happened to me back in 2018 with the guy renting a mobile home. I had a disagreement with the landlord where I was and relationship was broken. Unfortunately I made an unwise choice to accept an offer of a mobile home in the middle of nowhere coming into Winter! I was on my own and had no-one to help either, and it was very difficult to get any kind of affordable long term housing, especially not being young. I came across an ad in paper and phoned this guy and he picked me up and brought me to his mobile home in the countryside.

He lived near it and there was initially shared electricity but he told me he planned to get a meter installed, so I would pay for electricity. He asked me to give him a spare key, which I got made for him and he never reimbursed me. He later denied I gave him the key and it lead to an argument. His personality changed and I got afraid in the mobile home on my own in the middle of countryside, in winter! I don't even drive, so I knew someone at the time, luckily, who was able to help get my belongings out of there quickly and I put them into storage but then had a huge ordeal finding somewhere to live. I spent about 6 weeks living in tourist hostels and eventually found a place but it was only for 6 months.

Then I still couldn't find anywhere suitable and had to move to another county for 4 years and got help with rent, then last year moved back when I was offered my an apartment, having been on housing list a long time. Thank god, no more trouble with landlords. Peace! I have no trouble with them and never see them. The housing crisis here is awful, so I was very lucky to get offered by flat. But believe me, I've been in your shoes, and you will get over this and that landlord will get their comeuppance. People who do bad on others don't get away scot free, karma pays them back for their evil bad deeds. Keep strong and positive. You have everything else going for you, except the housing issue. That's only a temporary problem. I've had lots of such issues. I lived in London when I was young and been around.