Dubai Police arrest fake agent who vanished after scamming people with fake rental and apartment deals

A fake agent has been arrested in Dubai for posting fraudulent apartment rental listings on websites and social media platforms to lure victims with unusually low prices. After the incident came to light, Dubai Police asserted that such acts constitute cyber fraud, which is clearly a criminal offence under UAE law.

The authorities have revealed that the scammer targeted individuals searching for rental properties by asking for upfront payments or deposits to secure a booking, according to local media reports. After the money was transferred, the suspect would vanish and cut all contact, delivering no property or services in return for the payment.

The police crackdown against fraudulent rental offerings came as a part of its ongoing “Be Aware of Fraud” campaign, Gulf News reported. After the scam was uncovered, authorities called on the public to remain cautious when they are dealing with online rental listings to avoid falling victim to these schemes.


They also urged residents to refrain from transferring any funds before verifying the landlord’s identity and confirming the legitimacy of the property through legal channels.

Emphasising that public awareness and cooperation are crucial in preventing such scams, the authorities asked community members to report any suspicious advertisements or fraud attempts via the Dubai Police app or by calling 901, according to Khaleej Times.

The latest incident of fake listings is reportedly part of a bigger pattern seen across the Emirates. Abu Dhabi authorities issued a warning about similar fraudulent property listings circulating on social media in July 2024.

Back then, scammers were found to be using photos of nonexistent or misrepresented properties along with rent offers to deceive unsuspecting tenants, Khaleej Times reported. In many such cases, it was witnessed that once a deposit was sent, the victim realised the property either didn’t exist or had no connection to the person they had been speaking with.

As the scam begins to plague the Emirates, Abu Dhabi Police underscored that using registered rental agencies and adhering strictly to official documentation procedures is crucial. The concerned authorities issued warnings to residents, asking them to stay away from tempting offers like massively reduced rents, which are often red flags for real estate fraud.