Real estate search sites have now become victim finding platforms. Brokers have started to publish fake rental house advertisements at affordable prices on some sites, and have started to take money from citizens who contact them under the name of real estate agent expenses. While the scammers who scammed 50 people with this fraud method and swindled them 3 million TL have disappeared, serious warnings have also come from experts for citizens.
SEE IT ON SITE
Lawyer Sinan Keskin stated that the house to be rented or purchased should definitely be seen on site in order not to be victimized, and added, “Do not leave without visiting and checking the inside of the house.”No payment or any other payment should be made and the real homeowner should be spoken to. Citizens should investigate whether the real estate agent they contact is an official real estate agent. It is also necessary to check whether the real estate agent is registered with the Chamber of Commerce and to examine their authorization documents. Reliable real estate agents usually host people at their workplaces and do not hesitate to present their official documents. he said.
WRITE ‘DEPOSIT FEE’
Keskin mentioned that a detailed rental agreement should be prepared before making any payment and emphasized that there should be a written text stating that a deposit has been made. It is stated that a deposit amount must be written in the description section when sending via IBAN. who Sharp, shared the following information: “The execution of contracts in the presence of a notary is a measure that reduces the risk of fraud and increases legal validity. If the money is sent through a bank, it can be tracked using IBAN information and identify account owners.”
“In the event that the crime of fraud is committed by using banks or by a trick that eliminates the possibility of examining the victims, “The crime of qualified fraud is at stake and the number of people who committed the fraud is important in determining the penalty.”
ARE THE PHOTOS REAL?
Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Kırık, Head of the Visual Communication Design Department of Marmara University Faculty of Communication, stated that citizens are deceived by offering fake advertisements at attractive prices, and said, “There are some important steps to take to protect yourself from such scams. First of all, when dealing with any advertisement, it is necessary to check the accuracy of the photos and information of the house. “The most reliable way to find out if a house is actually for rent is to contact the landlord or a trusted real estate agent directly. Also, if the listings are too attractive with contact information and prices, this should raise suspicion; extremely low offers can often be a sign of a scam.”
SEE THE HOUSE IN ACTION
Kırık concluded his words by saying: “If you are interested in a listing, it is very important to see the house in person before paying a deposit or other expenses. The safest approach is to physically go to verify the reality of the house and sign the contract. Also, be careful when signing a contract with a real estate agent and make any payments only through official and trusted channels. To protect yourself from scams, it is necessary to carefully examine online real estate listings, do research and contact the relevant authorities in case of any suspicion.”
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