Alarm as Singapore renters lose over US$1 million to fake property agents
- Police said at least 287 people had been taken in by the scams, which see victims pressured into making payments, over a single four-month period
- Prospective renters have been advised not to rely on Facebook or Carousell listings and check with the industry regulator to verify agents’ identities
Between July and November, at least 287 people were taken in by the scams, which see victims pressured into making payments to secure property viewings or rentals, police said in a news release on Monday.
Victims typically responded to listings on platforms such as Facebook – which accounted for the largest number of cases – as well as Carousell or rental advertisement websites.
When contacted, usually via WhatsApp, the scammers pretend to be property agents registered with the city state’s Council for Estate Agencies (CEA), sending pictures of their CEA registration number and business cards, as well as pictures or videos or virtual tours of the property.
However, the contact numbers provided would differ from the actual contact numbers registered with the CEA, police said.
When a victim asked if they could view the property, the scammers would claim that there was high demand and pressure the prospective renter into paying a deposit. The scammers would then cut off all contact.
At least 77 victims were asked to meet up with the fake property agents’ “personal assistants”, who would help facilitate the property viewing. Afterwards, the victims were told to provide their personal details for a tenancy agreement and to make a payment, police said.