Abu Dhabi residents have been warned about the rise of fake property listings on social media, as scammers adopt new and deceptive methods to defraud people.
Law enforcement agencies have issued an advisory urging the public to be vigilant and cautious about these evolving scams.
Scammers are posting attractive photos of non-existent properties with appealing prices to lure unsuspecting victims. Once interested, the victims are asked to pay an advance deposit, only to realize later that they have been defrauded.
Abu Dhabi Police emphasized the importance of following proper rental contract documentation and warned against falling for false promises of reduced rent, often used as bait by fraudsters. They advised prospective tenants to deal only with registered rental agencies to avoid scams.
Preventive Measures for Prospective Tenants
Residents are urged to take the following steps to protect themselves from real estate scams:
- Contact authorized real estate offices
- Request intermediaries or representatives to show their Emirati ID
- Register their statements only in authorized offices
- Provide documentation only in those offices
- Obtain sealed receipts
- Keep official contracts
- Ensure the property is registered with the relevant government sector
Crackdown on Misleading Listings
Recently, Dubai land authorities have also taken action against misleading property listings. Real estate agents were given an ultimatum to remove all unavailable properties from their digital platforms. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) mandated that agents integrate their systems with the DLD website to ensure the validity of all listings and eliminate fake ones.
Job Scams Alert
In addition to property scams, Abu Dhabi Police have also warned job seekers about ‘fake hiring’ schemes. Scammers conduct formal events and create fake online company pages, posing as authorized recruitment agencies to deceive people. They demand fees for non-existent jobs, leaving applicants defrauded.
Authorities urge residents to report any suspicious calls from unknown individuals or any form of fraud by visiting the nearest police station or contacting the security service at 8002626. People can also text 2828 to help the police combat these fraudulent activities and protect the community.
