News Flash Daily
18 February
Fraudsters lure home seekers with fake rental ads, collect advance payments, and vanish; police issue a caution as similar complaints surface
Bengaluru: A doctor from Bengaluru has fallen victim to an online rental fraud, losing more than ₹10,000 after being misled by fraudsters posing as property owners on a popular housing portal. The incident has once again raised concerns over the rising number of digital real estate scams targeting professionals and migrant workers in metropolitan cities.
Doctor Trapped by Fake Rental Listing
According to police sources, the victim, identified as Soumya, was searching for a rented house on Housing.com when she came across an attractive property listing featuring well-furnished interiors and appealing photographs. The fraudsters allegedly convinced her that a visitor’s pass costing ₹2,000 was mandatory to view the property and further demanded ₹7,000 as an advance to secure the house.
Trusting the listing and the communication, the doctor transferred the money in multiple phases, eventually paying over ₹10,000.
House Found Non-Existent at Given Address
Trouble began when Soumya reached the location mentioned in the listing. Locals and security personnel in the vicinity confirmed that no such rental house existed at the address provided. They further revealed that several other individuals had been similarly duped using the same modus operandi, pointing to a well-planned and recurring scam.
Police Register Case, Lay Trap for Accused
Following the incident, Soumya lodged a formal complaint at the High Grounds Police Station. Police officials stated that multiple complaints of a similar nature have emerged, prompting them to register a case and initiate a trap operation to apprehend the accused.
“We have noticed a pattern where fraudsters exploit online housing platforms, collect small amounts from multiple victims, and disappear. Investigations are underway,” a police official said.
Public Advised to Remain Vigilant
Authorities have urged citizens to exercise extreme caution while dealing with online property listings, particularly when asked to make advance payments, visitor fees, or token amounts without physical verification or proper documentation.
On the other hand, cybercrime experts stress the need for stronger verification mechanisms on property portals and increased public awareness to prevent such scams from spreading further.
