Scammers targeting real estate sector by passing off as agents on platforms

They ask for deposits before viewing, then become uncontactable upon receipt of money transfer

Published Tue, Mar 15, 2022 · 05:50 AM

Scam

Singapore

SCAMMERS are hitting potential home renters by impersonating property agents, and soliciting deposits even before viewing.

Property agency Huttons Group on Monday (Mar 14) warned of a new type of property scam that has surfaced. According to Huttons, the scammers claimed that they were real estate agents by using fake Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) identity cards, and then uploaded fake listings on alternative platforms.

When contacted by a prospective tenant, the scammer would ask for a deposit even before any property viewings were conducted. Upon receipt of the…