Milan Apartment HELP URGENT

Hi,

I am trying to rent an apartment in Milan. I got in contact with one of the person who is renting it, we contacted through mail and when i asked if i can visit the apartment she said that she would not be able to allow visitation until the contract has been made between us but for my safety she did share her passport with me.

Can i trust her or this is just another scam? The passport did seem like it belonged to an old lady and it was a French passport.