Public sentiment is largely negative, with overwhelming frustration directed at builders and financial institutions. Many homeowners feel victimized and express doubt over the likelihood of achieving justice, highlighting a profound sense of hopelessness amidst ongoing investigations.

Builders

Financial Institutions

RERA

This not the first time I heard about this rental deposit scam. There was a tiktoker f.sakina who posted the details of how she got scammed. However she set it to friends only, and i couldn't re vist the video. She also filed a report. Probably taken her video private amidst investigation.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSrEfDqwU/

Be vigilant around agents that you are not familiar with!

KTS1986

Any deposits must go only to the landlord NRIC, not any other bank account. 

CEA regulations do not allow agents to get involved with any deposits.

yoongf

This has been happening the past couple of years. I viewed a condo unit and a Malay agent assistant showed me around - that’s against CEA ruling. Agents must personally show the unit themselves.

I suspected it was a scam. It was asking for $3k but other similar units going for 4K or more. I asked him why so cheap? He said because the unit don’t have dining table that’s why lower in rent 😂😂😂 

These scammers even use the credentials of agents on CEA agent directory to trick people. And the agents don’t even know their details are being used. Committing fraud and scamming 101. 

Always check the agent’s details with CEA and their agency (name, photo, number, email, license ID). Call up and email both CEA and the agency to verify.

Scammer will pressure you to pay deposit to lock down or risk losing the unit to someone else - typical scammer tactic “fear of missing out”. They will give excuses such as not feeling well, can’t come down to sign contract, blablabla, but ask you to transfer to secure the unit.. DON’T make that transfer. Do it and say goodbye to your money. 

Also pay a few dollars to verify the owner’s details of the property. Can’t remember which gov website though.

And if a rental price is too good to be true, then high chance it’s a scam. Check PropertyGuru for similar units and compare the price. If other similar units are listing for 4K, but another is listing for 3k, then high chance it’s a scam. A lot of scammers listing nice units for $3k, stealing agents’ unit photos and masking agent name on the photo. It’s always $3k or around that ballpark 😂

Negative_Chemical246

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/at-least-2-7-million-lost-to-property-rental-scams-so-far-in-2024

The article is slightly dated, but the scam is still going round. I guess the scammer you faced managed to steal the agent ID and phone number of an actual agent.

Hell I am still getting those fake friend scam calls.

BOTHoods

Pls keep us updated on the outcome... Police should already arrest them in days..

Jx_XD

Fking scammers

Phone scammers, rent scammers, ad scammers

BBFAhunter

alljaylong

Life_Unit_4375

Do you mean after touring the amenities they had access to the condo unit in question and did the viewing? Sorry I'm abit slow don't understand how scammer have full access to the condo.

StrugglePrudent4710

3 month deposit ? 

You pay 2 months deposit for a 2 year rental.

Solana_Maximalist

If you used bank transfer to send the money, police can trace and potentially uncover the perpetrator. Nothing else you can do now except keep following up with the police on your report.

pm_me_your_psle

I (29M)went through the exact same thing a month ago, lost $5.6k. They faked everything from the Title Deed, IC number and impersonated the agent. The sophistication of scams will only increase here on.

No response from the police for 2 months.

The only thing real is (1) SG phone line (2) POSB a/c (3) the apartment I visited. I spoke to a few licensed agents, they said that it’s possible fake tenants or viewers managed to gain access and carry out this scam on Facebook. 

Lesson: (1) Always use propertyguru, don’t use Facebook (2) validate the agents phone number on the CEA website (3) validate NRIC of both agent and landlord on the ICA website (4) face to face meeting with both the agent and landlord (5) ask for the title deed and IRAS / Singpass address - should indicate the same property 

I really wanted my own space before 30.  If anyone has questions feel free to dm me.

b66rs

Buddy_Bingo

Hihi realtor here,

My guess is that when you enquired to arrange for viewing, the scammer may have arranged with an actual agent of that unit. On one end, he tells you that he is unwell and cannot be present. Then on the other end, he can either tell the agent that his ‘sister/family’ are the ones viewing or even pretend to be a cobroke agent. End of the day the scammer doesn’t even reveal himself.

Alternatively it could also be one of the situation mentioned in this thread, someone with access to the unit came up with this elaborate scam. If that is the case, then the actual person showing you that day would have been an imposter too, could try to track down that person.

Some tips to help DIY tenant:

* search on reliable platforms and avoid sketchy websites, search portals like PropertyGuru/SRX/99 can only be listed by agents and when we register work number is tied to us too. So when you click the contact via WhatsApp button, it’s straight to the agent.
* we have to register work number with CEA too, so when you search, don’t just search license no, also search the mobile number that you are contacting with. Some may argue that they are using another work phone, but at least your bullshit radar will be on standby. It’s easy for scammers to take agent photo and photoshop on a fake badge and send you a photo of it. They will even copy WhatsApp biz profile.
* same rule of thumb, when a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Landlords are ultimately the ones calling the shots and they are also not so gullible to list it below market rate. Some may list a few hundreds below avg rates to rent out faster but if it hits a thousand-ish then be wary.
* Get an agent to represent you as tenant. At least your interest is safeguarded. And for certain rental $$ range, tenant agents can cobroke comms with landlord agents, so tenant no need to pay extra fees. Need to see market conditions too.
* any transfers related to the rental is made to the landlord. Before we facilitate any transfers, we will provide property ownership proof and also exact landlord bank details. Scammers could fake these documents too, so if you are diy tenant, like someone in this reddit thread said, buy ownership data. You can do that on INLIS portal.
* Market standard is 1 year lease is 1 month SD. 2 years lease is 2 months SD. On top of SD, pay the 1st month rent in advance.

Really unfortunate to hear that this happened to your friend. If your deposit is paid into an sg account, maybe they can track, but most likely is a money mule. Money would’hv been transferred out overseas which makes it difficult to recover. Hope these information helps and that your friend and her mum can find a place soon!

junzhee

klkk12345

Hope you get your $ back. Got cctv, guard house record book, sure can’t run away. It’s whether the police will put enough effort to find the culprit.

Automatic_Win_6256

Seems like a relatively easy case for the police to look into really. Money come money go, all traceable unless you do cash. Also you signed the contract handed from the guy, sure got fingerprints all over it. If the agent even told you that guy is someone he sent even funnier.

SiHtranger

Just make a police report. You might not get the money back but at least the fker can go rot in jail.

wank_for_peace

I’m wondering how the scammer had access to the house without the owner being complicit

pohcc

Bottom line is the agent viewing must be a real licensed agent and the tenancy agreement signed needs to be him too (hence payable comm). If those checks out against the cea website, maybe can consider to give more time as he or she maybe away overseas etc.

If it's urgent, do you want to consider to go down to the condo and ask the guardhse to call the landlords? Technically it is still a lapse on agent role to complete the physical handover

As for the upfront money, as long as it's indicated in the chat with agent and the deposit tallies the TA, that is real evidence that rent is agreed as it is. But indeed it is possible call for scam, so do your checks. Did you guys also pay stamp duty for rental?

ho888sg

PrestigiousMarket273

Eh, I thought this trick has been known for years. How come still can kana?

Critical-Copy-7218

wait.. did you view the unit at all or just the condo general surroundings?

Ok-Neighborhood-566

Unless you go a too good to be true offer or have some compelling personal circumstances, no one asks for 3 months deposit. And no one pays it before signing a LOI. You didn’t get scammed. You walked into a scam and gave away 12k without applying your mind.

Fine_Carpenter9774

dooonotredeeem

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&gt;He claims to have made his money in the stock market and BTC.

&gt;His mother went to the hospital today for a heart condition.

There's the info you need; he's going to need money for his mother for whatever reason he cannot send it himself, it's a nigerian prince scam, !advancefee , they'll promise riches if you can just forward some money to the mother.

Dofolo

This looks to me like you're being set up for !pigbutchering.  A realtor recently posted something similar...

'I’m a realtor who got a lead does this sound like a scam?': [https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/1f9dkft/im\_a\_realtor\_who\_got\_a\_lead\_does\_this\_sound\_like/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/1f9dkft/im_a_realtor_who_got_a_lead_does_this_sound_like/)

And if you think about it, going after realtors is actually a brilliantly effective move for pig butcherers.  A normal person can (and should) simply drop out as soon as cryptocurrency is mentioned, but you have to go above and beyond to give a person all the benefit of the doubt, because you can't risk losing a big sale if you're wrong in assessing them to be scammy.  And that fits perfectly in the long game timeframe needed for pig bucthering.  And the out-of-town buyer angle gives them weeks/months to work the long game on you while you're hanging on that potential sale.

My prediction: either they will push you to start investing on the fake crypto exchange in the next two weeks, or they'll delay the supposed arrival in town so they can take a longer run at you psychologically before they move to the investment step.

Please report back what happens!  This could indicate the beginning of a new phase within the pig butchering movement.

teratical

The empathy thing, sending pictures (of someone else), bring up his mother . . . these are all red flags.

I would assume at some point he's going to need you to make a payment for something (his mother in the hospital would be a good bet) and he'll overpay you with a cashier's check or someone else's Venmo account or something like that. He'll hold the idea of getting a big sale over your head to pressure you to participate.

FunkyPete

Ask around the realtor sites and communities. They have more experience with this. What does your broker say?

Fizzyfuzzyface

It doesn’t appear this is the angle this scammer is going for…   Your suggestion to hit up the realtor community is good advice. I will.

Chrimzy_

See if he shows up and make him purchase via wire transfer. If he never shows or you are jumping through endless hoops walk away.

Changeofscenery65

Feels like a mix of scams. He's brought up crypto for !pigbutchering, he's got a sick mom he might ask you to pay for, possibly a !fakecheck somewhere in here. It feels like a hodgepodge. 

Ninja_SurgeFairy

I am pretty sure the same person/people are contacting me right now. Either that or they are following the same script, like to a T. 
I even all but confirmed my immediate suspicions by finding all three of the photos they texted me using reverse image search. 

Did they claim to have done charity work in South Africa and send pics of it? Did they claim to have been gifted a ridiculously expensive bottle of wine by their “associates” and text an image of them supposedly holding the bottle (found to have been posted on IG years ago)?

Literally everything you said has been identical to my experience. Mom has cardiac issues, lots of stuff about empathy. Seemed like they were too intelligent to be a scammer, but something not quite right?

Also, I’ve talked to the person twice by phone, but only when they’ve called me. They do not answer when I call.  I stopped responding immediately once I did the reverse image search. That was Thursday evening (I was shocked that they never once mentioned Thanksgiving. Made me think they must not be in the US or something. Yesterday they called me 12 times, not a single VM. Has been referring to info that I emailed to them, but has never replied via email, or sent me an email (seems odd). They called me another 6 times today from the initial NY phone number, and I also got another 5 missed calls from a different NY number. Countless texts. 

This has all been since initial outreach from the person on Tuesday. I’m thankful that it happened during a downtime with the holidays, and didn’t distract me when things are busier. I have to say that it’s a pretty sophisticated scam. I’m as skeptical as they come, so there is no way they would have gotten any money from me. I really had to force myself to engage with them in the first place and not just assume they were a scammer.  Glad my instincts were correct, but FFS this stuff is infuriating. Stay vigilant!

I’m curious to know what name they were using, though I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t use the same name twice. 

Ron_Florindo

It's a scam, but I know you already realize that.

GoldenLove66

You just learned about a rental scam - cost = $50

Bulky-Internal8579

The code for the lockbox actually worked? That’s the most shocking part to me. It’s for sure a scam but sounds like the scammer might be local.

fakemoose

If it is too good to be true, then it is.  

You can look up the property owner’s name in the county property tax records.  If it doesn’t match the name in the official looking lease, start screwing with him.

LemonSlicesOnSushi

Scam

As soon as you said “Craigslist” 

Stay away from CL!

TrainsNCats

Teufelhunde5953

It’s a scam. We had some poor lady show up at our apartment complex thinking she was going to move in. The manager has been there for a very long time and had never tour or seen this lady before and she was no where in the system. She had paid someone a deposit. So sad.

Due-Hat4792

It is just a mixup.  Send me $200 and I will straighten it out for you.

TransportationOk4787

Unfortunately this scam is pretty popular and once you move in you will get evicted by the real landlord or arrested for trespassing.

booplesnoot101

r/scams

Familiarize yourself. You are being scammed.

Blocked-Author

I was holding an open house at rental and a very angry man walked up and yelled at me saying he already signed a lease to move in and why was I holding an open house! I explained i was the owner and this was my one and only time for showings and I do not accept applications or sign lease unless I physically meet the tenants and they see the house in person. 

He felt very stupid he fell for a "sight unseen" scam from a duplicated Craigslist posting and was upset he couldn't afford the real rental rate. I now put a disclaimer in my description so, if people read the whole listing, they would hopefully know it's a scam if they are asking for any money/applicatiom before viewing the property.

ImJustAGirl14

That is a flat out scam from here to the moon and back. Beware.

ideal1one

BumCadillac

DHumphreys

Jog212

Jenikovista

this is NOT new and has been happening for the last 5+ years or even longer.

It's been on EVERY news source there is.  TV, radio, internet, FB, etc.

Icy_Huckleberry_8049

DILLIGAD24

Your real estate agent should have easily recognized the scam.  It’s very common. The scam you ended up in is a simple one. There are far more sophisticated scams.

rdrllcinc

The real question here is people still use Craigslist?

timberline11

If it’s too good to be true…it’s a scam

Wandering_aimlessly9

[deleted]

This is a scam for sure. This one’s pretty common. Not another dime to this guy and if you can get info from him turn him in so the next persons not out thousands of dollars.

Powerful_Put5667

First rule of Craigslist, always always meet in person. Now the scammer has your ID , maybe your SSN as well on the application.

puffyshirt99

One price now, higher if you wait until Monday. That's scam talk right there......

borealforests

IF IT LOOKS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT'S PROBABLY A SCAM !!!

relevanthat526

I’ll be shocked if it isn’t a scam. The fact that cash app stopped you from sending the $1250 - is awesome. 
Could be an inside job or somehow the person got the lockbox code. One way is that a “potential renter” toured the place (and got the lockbox code) and then immediately turned around and initiated the scam. Do not send more money!!

Amindia01

I am a landlord. Not in a million years would I rent property 100% remotely

victormesrine

Any situation where you can rent property long term without seeing someone face to face has a high chance of scam. Properties listed with property management companies typically provide lock box access to every real estate agent. Scammer could try to see the combo when asking legitimate agent to show the place. Or more like it has a friend gf bf who is providing the combo.

Reported this guy to the authorities, going to talk to property management tomorrow morning about it. It’s crazy how he knew the lock box code, there was still a bunch of nice appliances in there, ac units, chainsaw, some nice furniture that I could have easily walked out with. Not sure what he would do with my dl it’s only got my address, not like people can’t do a quick search on google to find out where I live. Also just had a property manager send me an application that was already filled out with someone else’s info, ssn and all. Not really sure what ppl think they can do with ssn numbers nowadays besides apply for credit cards. My credit is fine so far. Thanks for all the comments tho. I will say that I am renting a place thru a property management company and they also txt you a lock box code but you have to have your location at the property to get it. Have not seen anyone in person for it, so we will see how it goes.

Vegetable_Moose493

I have a couple of rental properties. For the last couple of years, whenever I list one for rent, I get a message or phone call from someone telling me that it is also listed for rent by a scammer on Craigs List.

cg40boat

Hey there’s a story about Taylor swift on TikTok the user is Taylorswiftcriminalmuse

Bryantcrimemuse

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating an alleged nexus involving builders and banks in the NCR housing sector, revealing a scheme that has left homebuyers vulnerable. Over 1,200 buyers have filed complaints due to delays and defaults in home deliveries.

NCR Housing Scam Investigation

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